SINGAPORE : A recent survey has found that online
privacy in social networking sites is not a concern for youths, and
that a majority have experienced cyber-bullying.
The survey, conducted by students from Singapore
Polytechnic, involved 800 youths aged between 18 and
35.
The top three social networking sites visited by
youths are Facebook, MSN Messenger and video-sharing sites like
YouTube.
The majority of youths spend between two and five hours on these
sites everyday.
The survey indicated that youths are compromising their privacy
because they reveal genuine information online.
Close to 95 per cent reveal their gender and name, while 74.3 per
cent show photos of themselves.
Meanwhile, 67.5 per cent have never changed their passwords.
Some of the reasons cited were that they were too lazy to do so,
and saw no danger in not changing them.
In addition, youths are more open to their friends than to their
parents on social networking sites.
Almost all respondents (98.3 per cent) said they would reveal the
contents of their sites to friends.
However, only 46.1 per cent said they would reveal information to
parents.
The study also found that 68.4 per cent of respondents have
experienced, or known people who have experienced,
cyber-bullying.
Of this figure, 43.9 per cent are indifferent to it.
The top forms of cyber-bullying include receiving excessive
unwanted emails or messages, and having videos or photos posted
without consent.
Youths also do not have a clear definition of cyber-bullying.
Majority think that receiving excessive email or messages and being
ignored online are not forms of cyber-bullying.
Youths believe that their online well-being is in their own hands,
with just 18.1 per cent believing that parents should take the
responsibility.
- CNA/ms
