SpectorSoft Corporation today released new data revealing the top concerns voiced by consumers related to their children’s mobile device activity during the 2011 back-to-school season. The SpectorSoft survey, which polled more than 550 users of mobile phone and Internet monitoring software, shows that sexting is the greatest concern reported by parents, as well as how children are still receiving inappropriate text messages and photos. It also shows that many parents will be looking at their children’s mobile phone and/or bill more often when they return back to school.

As mobile device use among children and teens has become widespread, their parents are now tasked with protecting them from a new world of emerging threats to their safety. To help better understand the top issues these parents are combating, SpectorSoft conducted a broad survey to poll consumers on their children’s mobile device usage and their top concerns related to sexting and staying connected through their mobile phone.

Key findings of the survey include:

Top mobile concerns revealed – Sexting (almost half of survey respondents– 49 percent) and sending text messages (33 percent) top the list of concerns voiced by parents during the 2011 back-to-school season. Despite the fact that the vast majority (82 percent) reported that their children are using smartphone devices with advanced messaging capabilities, such as email and instant messaging, parents reported texting as the top concern, followed by social networking (26 percent).

Sexting is happening – About half (49 percent) of the survey respondents’ children have received an inappropriate text message or picture and 21 percent reported that their child has been a victim of sexting.

Mobile phone activity is being monitored – Currently, 88 percent of respondents said that they look at the mobile phone or bill at least a few times a month to see if their child’s calls and text messages meet their approval. More than a third (34 percent) reported that they will look at the mobile phone or billing details of their children more often when they return to school this fall.

Parents want to track children’s whereabouts using mobile phones – Seventy percent of parents reported that their child’s phone has geo-location capabilities. Meanwhile, 89 percent of respondents reported that they would like to know the location of the child’s whereabouts through their mobile phone.

Education about sexting is taking place – Eighty-four percent of respondents reported that they speak to their children frequently about sexting, or when sexting topics are in the news.

"It's imperative that parents realize how much of a problem sexting has become," said Bryan Bowers of KeepYourFamilySafeOnline.com. "It's critical they do something about their concern and use a product which proactively monitors for that and other types of activities which can get kids into serious trouble."

“Children are using mobile phones more than ever, and parents are now tasked with protecting them from a new world of emerging threats to their safety such as sexting,” said Lisa Shaw, SpectorSoft Senior Director, Child Safety. “Based on the survey data, sexting continues to become a major concern for parents and it is critical that they safeguard their children through a combination of open, ongoing education and communication, and regular monitoring of their mobile activities.”

For additional details about the survey results please visit: http://www.spectorsoft.com/press/press_materials/spectorsoft_mobile_survey.pdf

About SpectorSoft

SpectorSoft is the recognized leader and pioneer in the computer, mobile device and Internet monitoring and analysis software market. More than 500,000 consumers and 50,000 businesses, government organizations, schools and law enforcement agencies have purchased SpectorSoft products to help keep children and employees safe online, and to prevent Internet abuse, data loss and compliance violations in the workplace. For more information, visit www.spectorsoft.com.