• by July 2, 2001

In a new report from the Pew Internet & American Life Project called “Teenage Life Online," they find that 17 million American teens online have embraced instant messaging tools to enrich their friendships and expand their social worlds. The results, based on a phone survey of teenagers and their parents by Princeton Survey Research Associates, and an online discussion group conducted by Greenfield Online, show that 55% of the parents say that the Internet has been a good thing for their children, especially when it comes to schoolwork.

"The Internet… has become a major 'player' in many American families," says Lee Rainie, Director of the Pew Internet & American Life Project.

Major findings in the report include:

- 17 million youths between ages 12 and 17 (73%) use the Internet
- 48% of these teens say this use their relationships with their friends
- 32% say it helps them make new friends
- 64% of online teens say they think use of the Internet takes away from the time spent with their families
- 13 million of these teenagers have used instant messaging. More than a third of teens use IM to say things they don’t want to say in face-to-face conversations
- 17% have used IM to ask someone out
- 13% have used IM to break up with someone
- 22% of teens who use email, instant messaging or chat rooms share online passwords

"Parents are often worried about what their children are doing online," says Amanda Lenhart, principal author of the report.

- 57% of parents worry that strangers will contact their children online
- 60% of teens have received an instant message or an email from a stranger
- 50% report emailing or instant messaging with someone they have not met before
- 52% saying they do not worry at all about being contacted
- 15% of online teens and 25% of older boys online have lied about their age to access a Web site
- 26% say the Internet helps them get information about things that are hard to talk to other people about
- 87% of parents believe the Internet helps their children in school
- 78% of online teens agree

Find out more about the report here.