Cox Mobile, Cox Communications’ mobile phone service, recently announced the results from their first survey, Generation Screen: Parenting and Mobile Safety. The survey uncovered an alarming correlation between location sharing and “strangers” communicating with kids and teens through their mobile devices. 

• 56% of parents said their children’s location sharing is turned on, making their location publicly accessible across several mobile apps.  
• 31% said their children have been contacted by a stranger on their mobile device. 
• Nearly one-third (28%) said the stranger referenced their child’s location.  

“Parenting today’s tech-savvy kids can be challenging. Many get their first phone between the ages of 10 and 14, much earlier than other generations,” said Cam Johnson, manager of public affairs for Cox. “While providing kids with greater access to technology enables many positive connections and benefits, the reality is that real dangers can exist just one tap or swipe away. As the Emerald Coast’s trusted connectivity provider, we’re encouraging digital literacy, educating families on the potential risks, and promoting safer, informed use of these incredibly powerful connectivity tools.”

Some Good News: A large majority of parents surveyed said they prioritize their children’s phone safety and have frequent conversations about risk prevention. 

• 65% of parents discuss mobile device safety with their children several times a week. 
• 75% check screen time and text messages daily to a few times a week, along with phone calls their children received (73%). 
• 73% of parents are friends with their children on social media, and 64% interact with them through those channels. 

Other Key Findings: 

• More than half of parents believe the use of social media apps elevates safety risk for kids, yet 60% say their child has them on their phone. 
• Cyberbullying is among the top three things keeping parents up at night.  
• Parents are most concerned about their children encountering predatory or inappropriate behavior (39%) and content (23%) on their phones.  

For more data points from Generation Screen: Parenting and Mobile Safety, a Cox Mobile Survey, and tips and resources for parents, visit www.coxmobilesafety.com

Want to know more about Cox Mobile? Visit the Cox retail store in Crestview or Fort Walton Beach to find out how much you can save on your internet and mobile phone bill, or visit Cox Mobile online for more information on devices and plans.