Young people do not often use the Internet to connect with mysterious acquaintances. They are also quite savvy in identifying and keeping away from suspicious characters, and share information about unsavoury types online, concludes the report.
The Internet habits of Finnish youth became a concern after the massacre at a school in Jokela last November, when a teenage boy opened fire on his classmates and teachers. He had used the Internet to post video threats and blog about his rage.
But Tampere University researcher Reijo Kupiainen says that parents' fears about their kids' Internet use are frequently exaggerated, since it is most often used to connect with their real-world friends. Youth are quite adept at using the technology and staying away from risky sites.
Nonetheless, researchers emphasize that supervision is very important. Parents must make sure that their children know how to safely navigate the Internet, and stay away from predators.
"Tens of thousands of adults have lost millions to online pyramid schemes. I'd perhaps be more worried about adults than youth," says Kupiainen.