Illegal downloading drops
2007-05-24 07:47
Washington - Illegal downloading of songs, software and other copyrighted materials from the internet among US youth has dropped sharply in the past three years, a survey showed on Tuesday.
The Business Software Alliance said its survey showed the percentage of young people between the ages of eight and 18 who acknowledged illegal downloads of software, music, movies or games fell from 60% in 2004 to 36% in 2007. In 2006 the figure was 4%.
The survey found the reasons for not making illegal copies was fear of accidentally downloading a computer virus (62%), getting into legal trouble (52%) and downloading spyware (51%).
Fear of getting in trouble with parents ranked fourth (cited by 48%), increasing from 40% in 2006.
The survey found 66% of young people said their parents set rules on what they could do on the internet.
"This study indicates that parents represent a growing and effective influence on the online practices of youth," said Diane Smiroldo, vice president of public affairs for BSA.
"But, while decreases in downloading are encouraging over recent years, youth are still taking too many risks online. We hope that parents continue to take seriously their role in helping their children make the right choices online."
The survey said music remained the major source of illegal downloads, with 30% of respondents acknowledging this activity. 11% said they made unauthorised copies of software and 8% said they did the same for films.
The report was based on an online survey of 1 196 youths in March.