Ohio parents are strict about kids' internet safety, study finds. Inside the numbers

Ohio parents are stricter about social media and internet safety than the average American parent.

According to a recent study by HostingAdvice, more than half (54%) of Ohio parents regularly monitor their children’s social media use and the websites they visit, more than the national average.

Here’s what parents do to protect their kids and other ways you can help your child stay safe.

How parents in Ohio ensure online safety for their kids

The study shows that 54% of Ohio parents actively control the websites and social media sites their children visit (compared to a national average of 52%).

Among that group, 36% said they monitor their children's online habits daily, showcasing a high level of vigilance.

Ohio parents' concerns over social media use

Ohio parents participating in the HostingAdvice study had concerns about specific negative aspects of their kids' social media use:

• 44% were most concerned about their children being exposed to inappropriate content online
• 27% cited cyberbullying as their primary concern
• 17% of parents said they worry about the health implications of significant screentime, including its impact on physical and mental well-being
• 11% reported concerns about data security and their kids' info being shared online

How do parents monitor their kids' social media use?

Using social media and the internet can help increase media literacy, but there are downsides for youngsters.

The U.S. surgeon general has called for Congress to legislate laws to apply warning labels to social media and how it can affect children, just as there are warnings on cigarette boxes, according to AP.

Many parents were primarily concerned about access to inappropriate content, cyberbullying, health implications of screen time, and data security. To keep their child safe, some of these parents practice the following:

• Regularly checking browser history (33%)
• Parental control software to restrict inappropriate content and monitor use (25%)
• Discussions on online behavior to instill safe practices (22%)
• Occasional restrictions of online access (18%)

How the rest of the Midwest’s parents compare to Ohio

Almost all states in the Midwest had around half or more parents concerned for their child’s online safety. With the most parents came Indiana (57%), then Michigan and Illinois with the same percentage of parents as Ohio (54%).

Pennsylvania (53%), Kentucky (51%) and Wisconsin (50%) trailed Ohio.

When is it appropriate for a child to start using the internet?

There is no law on when a child can access the internet—it is totally up to the parent to decide when they’re ready. This survey also included when a parent thinks it’s appropriate for a child to have internet and social media access:

• 16 or older (37%)
• 13 or older (45%)
• 10 or older (13%)