Earlier this month, Microsoft celebrated Safer Internet Day – an annual event that brings people around the world together to create a safer and better online environment for all. The day provided an opportunity for people of all ages to engage and discuss online activities and safety, particularly with growing interest in emerging technologies. However, we should have conversations about online safety every day, not just on Safer Internet Day.
To support that goal, Microsoft released the latest findings from our annual Global Online Safety Survey, along with a Family Safety Toolkit. We share our results publicly so that others can benefit from the insights as we collectively strive to create a safer digital ecosystem.
Our 2024 data showed a 20-point jump in the number of teens who talked to their parents about online risk
Compared to our 2023 research, our results showed a significant increase in teens who talked to their parents about online risks. In fact, our survey found young people are more likely to speak to their parents than their peers and friends.
While more teens are talking to their parents, our research suggests a decline in the use of safety features. For example, the use of private accounts, the most popular safety feature in last year’s research, fell from 64% in 2023 to 56% in 2024. Parental control use remained steady – 90% of caregivers reported using at least one parental control.
Encouraging conversations about online safety
Enabling users and their families to support informed choices about their online activity is even more important with the advent of generative AI. Importantly, our survey results show that young people trust their parents and go to them for support and guidance around online risk in addition to using safety features. We realize parents and caregivers are busy, and that the tech landscape keeps evolving.
Our new Microsoft Family Safety Toolkit seeks to provide support on how to leverage Microsoft’s safety features and family safety settings. It also includes guidance for families looking to navigate the world of generative AI together. Top tips include:
- Start the conversation early and keep it going. Take an interest in young people’s digital lives and talk with them about how they like to spend time online, the apps they’re using, and the games they’re playing. Encourage questions about what children see or read to develop critical-thinking skills to probe the accuracy and objectivity of online information.
- Co-create boundaries with children. Discussing and agreeing on ground rules, such as screen limits and who children can engage with online, can help young people feel empowered and a part of the decision-making process.
- Learn about the apps and services your child is using. Get familiar with the websites, apps, games, and other online services your child frequents. Talk to them about downloading from reputable sources and discuss any apps or in-app items that require purchasing.
- Protect your security and data. Explain to your child what “personal information” means and teach them to keep it private. Help your child create email addresses, screen names, and gamer tags that don’t reveal anything personal or suggestive, and don’t make them easy to locate. It is also important to understand how to adjust privacy settings on the platforms you use as certain privacy settings allow you to control who sees your child’s information and activities.
- Model empathy and digital civility. Encourage respectful and empathic communication and behavior. Remind youth that if it’s not OK to say or do something face to face, it’s not OK online.
Beyond the Family Safety Toolkit, Minecraft Education recently released CyberSafe: Good Game, an immersive adventure that teaches players the responsibilities, tools, responses, and strategies that enable healthy online interactions, collaboration, and rewarding digital experiences, whether those are part of multiplayer gaming or other online activities.
Microsoft remains committed to creating safer online environments for all.
We recognize the important role we play as a tech company in empowering young people to use technology safely, mindfully, and in pursuit of social, economic and educational opportunity. The resources we’re sharing today sit alongside our efforts to prevent harm online. Safety by design is at the core of our approach, and we remain committed to continuing to support and work closely with partners across industry, government and civil society to create a safer online world for all.
