Yahoo has released some findings from a survey about how parents monitor children’s online behavior. The company says it makes safety a company priority by supporting efforts to educate children, parents, adults, and communities about safe online experiences. Yahoo takes a "multi-faceted approach in promoting a safer online experience," Yahoo spokesperson Terrell Karlsten tells WebProNews.

"Staying safe online is not a one-time conversation with children, it’s an ongoing process that parents and youth need to be aware of every time they log on," adds Karlsten.

The survey (conducted among 2,003 Internet users in the U.S., ages 18–64) found that parents are taking action, but cyber-bullying education is needed. Stats include:

– 78% of parents are concerned about their children’s online safety.

– 70% of parents talk to their children about online safety at least 2-3 times a year; 45% talk to their children at least once a month.

– 74% of parents are connected to their children’s profiles on social networking sites.

– 71% of parents have taken at least one action to manage their children’s use of the Internet or cell phones such as checking to see where children are searching online, setting time limits for children’s use of computers or cell phones, setting parental controls on video sites, and using filters to limit where children go on the Web.

– 81% of parents know what cyberbullying is.

– 25% who are aware of cyberbullying have either been victims or know someone else affected by cyberbullying.

– 37% of parents feel that they know what to do about cyberbullying.

– 73% want their child’s school to play an active role in teaching kids about online safety and citizenship.

– 71% of dads (compared to 63% of moms) say they are taking at least one action to help manage their children’s online behavior including having conversations about respecting the privacy of others and checking their children’s privacy settings. More dads than moms have had a conversation with their children about their digital reputations and how to promote a positive online reputation.

– 53% of dads said they plug their children’s names into a search engine at least 2–3 times per year (compared to 38% of moms) – 33% of dads said they do this search at least once a month.

– 47% of dads have conversations about online safety at least once a month, compared to 42% of moms.

– According to the survey, more dads than moms use filters to limit where their kids go online, and more dads monitor the time children send text messages and how many text messages they send.

"Yahoo! applauds the parents who are taking an active role in keeping their kids safer online, and we want to give them valuable advice and resources so they can earn an ‘A’ for their efforts," said Catherine Teitelbaum, director of child safety, Yahoo! Inc. "We encourage parents to use Yahoo! Safely — an online resource catered to kids, parents, and educators which provides relevant, up-to-date strategies and tools to help foster safer online experiences."

Yahoo runs a site called Yahoo Safely, which features resources and links for teens and parents, as well as content from safety experts including Common Sense Media, ConnectSafely, and WiredSafety. The site has guides for safer practices for using Yahoo products like Mail, Messenger, Groups, etc. Yahoo also has safety info in the parents’ section of Yahoo Kids and the parenting section of Yahoo Shine.

The company points out that it also works with online safety nonprofits like  Common Sense Media, ConnectSafely, FOSI, Internet Keep Safe Coalition, National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, and WiredSafety, as well as related efforts from other groups such as Ad Council, CARU/BBB, and NCSA. Karlsten also notes that Yahoo collaborates with law enforcement to find new ways to protect children online.