In its recently released "Deconstructing the Digital Kid" study, Jupiter Communications predicts that the number of teens (ages 13 to 18) online will rise from 4.5 million today to 11 million by 2002, and the number of children (ages 12 and under) will skyrocket from 3 million today to 20 million during the same period. That increase will mark one of the single biggest demographic shifts seen on the Web so far.

The study also found that 68% of parents surveyed were concerned about their children's Internet usage, and that more than 25% said they would be willing to pay for services to restrict their children's access to adult or undesirable sites. Two-thirds prohibit their children from giving out personal information over the Web and 62% don't allow online shopping. According to the results, boys tended to surf for gaming opportunities and sports content, and girls were more likely to focus on e-mail and instant messaging.

((c) TechWeb 25 Jun 98)