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PARENTS are showing little interest in their teenagers' use of Internet chatrooms, according to a study conducted by Flinders University. The two-year project found only 18 per cent of respondents received parental guidance for using chatrooms, while 56 per cent had no supervision. In recent years, there have been many cases of pedophiles using chatrooms to "groom" potential victims. More than 100 Adelaide teenagers aged between 13 and 17, all regular users of the Internet who accessed a chatroom at least once in the previous fortnight, were involved in the study. "Basically the children said their parents didnt give a bother or have the time to peep at the screen to see what they are doing," said Dr Mubarak Rabamathulla from the university's school of social work. "Some parents are showing some concern, but that is not enough because the children are accessing the rooms elsewhere." Only 7 per cent of teenage boys in the study said their parents showed concern about their chatroom use. At an Internet cafe in Adelaide yesterday, Julien Baudin said his parents took an active interest in his online activities, although some of his friends did not get the same supervision. "Some of my friends come here all the time to use the chatrooms," said Julien, 16, from Kensington. "They all get together and it's much more private for them to do it here." Some of the incidents encountered in the anonymous study were teenagers giving out personal details of their enemies and being encouraged to buy software which did not exist. While admitting the results were "alarming", Dr Rahamathulla said parents must take responsibility. "Parents should be showing more interest and acknowledging that chatrooms are here to stay as a form of entertainment," he said. "They must empathise with their children by spending time with them in front of the computer screen to see what they go through. "It's not only the business of social workers, it's everybody out there who can play a role. " Respondents suggested online professional help over the Internet would be popular with young people be- cause it was discreet. Child and Youth Health Service manager Bernice Gray said the results were a "timely reminder" that parents need to be vigilant with emerging technologies. Adelaide advertiser (19-10-2004) Zac Milbank |
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