What Do Little Boys and Girls Want (to search for on the web)?
A very similar study by the same company came out a few months ago and I have the same comments now that I did then. But first, here’re the lists:
Before you read the article below, there are two things I want to point out here – a reiteration of my previous rant:
The first issue is something you may also notice. 8 of the top 10 search terms for boys and 6 of the top 10 for girls are actual websites!!! This begs a couple of questions: isn’t one of the first things a parent teaches their child about using the Internet entering a URL into the address bar? Do these kids know how to do that? DO they know these are the names of actual websites? DO they realize how redundant it is to search for a search engine? (e.g. Google, Yahoo) Are we getting so lazy that we can’t be bothered to just type in the address we have to search for it? SO instead of typing eBay.com, we only have enough energy to type eBay in a search engine and click. I am pretty sure that even if you don’t have the energy for the .com that is you just type MySpace in the address bar the site comes up… sheesh! Are parents even teaching their kids how to use the internet?! That would be like consulting the table of contents in a book to find chapter 1.
Okay, but seriously, the bigger issue is the obvious pair of elephants on that list: “Sex” and “Porn.” This is proof that your kids are using the internet for reason you most likely don’t approve of – or that at the very least should make your think about the freedom you are giving them online. If they are curious, that is one thing; but if they are addicted or getting obsessed, that is another. As a parent, you need to decide what you’re going to allow coming through that internet connection in your house and then you need to enforce it.
While blocks and filters are the go-to solution, they aren’t enough. But programs like our PC Pandora monitoring software have built-in features that actually log the search queries (i.e. keeps a list of all the stuff your kids are looking for). So in addition to being able to see everything your kids do, you’ll see what they are interested in and constantly looking for. I hate to bring it up, but this is a good way to find out if your child is addicted to anything (drugs, gabling) or looking for eating disorder or pro-suicide or cutting sites as well…
Anyway, read the new report and ask yourself: do I know what my kids are looking for online?
December 18, 2009
Sex, porn, Jacko top kids’ searches in 2009
By Lance Whitney, cNet.comSex, porn, and Michael Jackson were among the most popular items kids searched for online in 2009, as tracked by [one company’s safety software].
[The company] on Thursday revealed the top 100 favorite search terms among children 18 and under found by its Online service, which helps parents monitor their kids’ online searches. Though innocuous terms like Sesame Street and “New Moon”–a popular movie in the Twilight vampire series–made the cut, sex showed up fourth on the list for boys and fifth for girls, following YouTube, Google, and Facebook as the three top terms.
For boys, the top 25 search terms focused on social-networking sites, shopping sites, and certain adult terms. Girls seemed to favor subjects related to music, TV shows and movies, and celebrities.
Speaking of celebrities, to no one’s surprise, the late Michael Jackson was the most searched for celebrity, coming in at number 12, followed by pop singer Taylor Swift at No. 13. Other hot stars that made the list included Miley Cyrus, Britney Spears, Beyonce, the Black Eyed Peas, the Jonas Brothers, Eminem, Rihanna, and Chris Brown (who was in the news this year after admitting that he assaulted ex-girlfriend Rihanna).
Searching for celebrities online, however, may be hazardous to your PC’s health. [The company] has found found that these searches sometimes draw people to dangerous Web sites, which spew out viruses, spam, and other malware.
Kids seven and under searched for items related to video games, while older kids were heavy into music, with 34 percent of teens and 27 percent of tweens searching for music-related topics. The Miley Cyrus song “Party in the USA” was the most-searched for tune among kids, while “Boom Boom Pow” by the Black Eye Peas took the No. 2 spot.
Top 10 searches by age group for 2009
Tech terms that popped up on the list included MySpace at No. 8, MSN at No. 33, the iPod Touch at No. 98, and Bing last at No. 100.
