Survey: Parents Unaware Of Illegal File Swapping

Posted on April 2, 2004

A new survey conducted by Nielson NRG for the Motion Picture Association of America, Inc. (MPAA) revealed that despite increasing media attention, nearly 40% of parents are unaware that file swapping of copyrighted materials is illegal. More than 40% of parents who participated in the survey know that their kids download music and movies over the Internet, and 55% of them know their kids did not pay for the content, while another 15% is unsure. In addition, one-third of those parents who have downloaded movies and music learned how to do so from their kids.

Technology expert and former editor-in-chief of FamilyPC magazine Robin Raskin says the survey indicates that parents are either unaware of the serious consequences of illegally swapping files or they're just taking the `ostrich' approach and burying their heads in the sand.

Ms. Raskin said, "Parents have a lot on their plates these days, but if they realized the severity and consequences surrounding the issue of irresponsible downloading, they'd understand why addressing it with their kids is as important as teaching them not to shoplift. The same caring and conscientious parents who dedicate themselves to making sure that their kids are safe and conduct themselves lawfully and ethically in the real world abandon that role in cyberspace. In dorm rooms and homes across the country, sometimes even with the cooperation of their parents, kids are regularly engaging in the swapping of copyrighted content over peer-to-peer networks. Parents should understand that not only is downloading from these systems almost a surefire way to damage your computer with destructive viruses and spyware, but also that they can be held legally responsible for illegal files they downloaded that remain on their computers. But, equally as important, parents should be concerned that their kids need to value and respect the personal property of others -- even online."

Last year, the MPAA launched its Respect Copyrights campaign, comprising public service announcements, education efforts at schools and universities across the country, and the development of the RespectCopyrights.org website, where parents and others can learn about the issues associated with illegal file swapping, and access sites such as AtomFilms, CinemaNow and Movielink, where they can get movies legally online. Since its launch last July, the Association has been tracking the impact of the campaign using various research methodologies.

Early this year, the MPAA's Research Department commissioned a survey through the Nielsen NRG on parents and download activity on the Internet. The questions focused on parents' Internet downloading activity, legal awareness, and monitoring of their children's activity online.

Conducted between February 25, 2004 and March 4, 2004, the telephone survey included 396 respondents. All respondents were parents with children between the ages of 12 and 17 and had a computer with Internet access. Respondents also attended a minimum of two movies in at least two months or six movies in a year.