Viruses Number One Cause of Drop in Illegal Youth Downloads, Says Group

The results of a recent nationwide survey released by the Business Software Alliance (BSA) show that the amount of illegal downloading by youth (ages 8 to 18) has dropped by 17 percent in the last two years. In 2004, 60 percent of survey participants reported illegally downloading either software, music, movies or games, while in 2006 the percentage who illegally downloaded dropped to 43 percent. The factors motivating the decrease show that they are heeding alerts to the potential threats of illegal downloading.

When survey participants were asked what worries them about downloading software, music, movies or games from the Internet without paying, the top responses given were fear of downloading a computer virus (63 percent), downloading spyware (52 percent) and getting in trouble with the law (49 percent). Fear of getting in trouble with parents ranked fourth with youth (40 percent).

"This study indicates that kids understand the consequences of illegal downloading, and that education and awareness about the risks, as well as online sites to legally download content have been a critical component in affecting these behaviors," says Diane Smiroldo, vice president of public affairs for BSA. "But still far too many young people are acting inappropriately online."

Comparing the new study results prepared by Harris Interactive with those from a survey Harris conducted for BSA in 2004 also shows the following:

• In 2004, 22 percent of kids reported they illegally downloaded software without paying for it while 14 percent in 2006 admitting to doing so.
• In 2004, 53 percent of youth admitted to illegally downloading music, while in the 2006 study 32 percent report doing so.
• In 2004, 32 percent of kids reported they illegally downloaded games versus 25 percent in 2006.
• 17 percent admitted to illegally downloading movies in 2004, whereas just 10 percent admitted to doing so in 2006.

In surveying adults about what they believe kids think, they correctly responded that kids worry most about getting a virus. But, adults believe getting in trouble with parents (52 percent) is a greater concern with kids than the youth responded (40 percent).

"Kids probably assume that whatever punishment they will receive from their parents will be far less unpleasant than either getting a computer virus or getting in trouble with the law," said Dr. Laurence Steinberg, psychology professor at Temple University and author of "You and Your Adolescent." "This suggests that one thing parents might do with their kids is stress the possible legal consequences and virus problems."