Top internet searches for kids identified – “Sex” and “Porn” near the top of lists

What were kids most interested in and curious about in 2009? Parents can tell a lot from monitoring internet searches, which may also alert them to possible topics they may need to discuss with their kids. On a more macro level, Norton has identified the top searches conducted by kids in 2009 through data from OnlineFamily.Norton, a free family safety service that parents can use to protect kids online.

Do You Know What Your Kids Are Looking For Online?

Norton looked at the top 100 searches conducted by kids age 18 and under and also broke down results by age and gender. Some of the top terms may surprise parents. “Sex” and “Porn” made it to the top overall search terms for both Teens group and “Sex” for the Tweens group. These terms should raise a red flag to parents if they haven’t had “The Talk” with their children about content that may not be appropriate for kids. Kids’ top three overall search terms in 2009 were YouTube, Google, and Facebook. While these sites can be entertaining and educational for kids under supervision, parents need to monitor usage and talk to kids about appropriate and inappropriate things they may find on-line.

Teens’ Top 25

1. YouTube 2. Facebook 3. Google 4. Sex

5. MySpace 6. Porn 7. Yahoo 8. Youtube.com 9. eBay

10. Wikipedia

Tweens’ Top 25

1. YouTube 2. Google 3. Facebook 4. Sex

5. Club Penguin 6. Youtube.com 7. You Tube 8. Miniclip

9. Yahoo 10. eBay

7 & Under Top 25

1. YouTube 2. Google 3. Facebook 4. Porn

5. Club Penguin 6. Yahoo 7. Webkinz 8. You Tube

9. Games 10. Miniclip

We use Safari installed on a Mac in our family room that the kids use periodically to play games. When they are logged into their account, Safari only allows them to surf to sites we’ve approved. We don’t allow them to look at YouTube and other sites without us being there to control the buttons. Our kids are still only 5 and 9 so that is bound to change soon.

Norton offers the basic OnlineFamily.Norton at no charge, but plans to launch a premium subscription version later in 2010.

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