Half of young people claim they are happiest online

Teenagers have evolved to communicate in more advanced ways than older generations, living lives where the internet plays a critical role, according to a report.

Life Support: Young people’s needs in a digital age, commissioned by Youthnet charity, looked at how digital communications have impacted on the psychological and neurological behaviour of young people.

It found that 75 per cent said that they couldn’t live without the internet and 45 per cent said that they felt happiest when online.

Seven in 10 parents demand compulsory online privacy lessons

Parents would like the government to introduce lessons to improve young people’s understanding of online privacy and the value of their personal reputation, with 69 per cent of parents calling for compulsory lessons to be introduced as part of compulsory school lessons, according the Digital Literacy Report 2009.

There is a growing concern among parents about their children’s online activities , according to the YouGov poll of 2,050 adults.

Almost half (48 per cent) said they were worried that their children’s online actions of social networking sites like Facebook , Bebo and YouTube will “destroy their future chances of getting into a chosen university or getting their first job” and more should be done by the government and schools to help young people safeguard their future prospects.

FTC Website Educates Kids about Privacy and Fraud

Today, the Federal Trade Commission opened new areas of a “virtual mall” with content that will help kids learn to protect their privacy, spot frauds and scams, and avoid identity theft. The FTC Web site, www.ftc.gov/YouAreHere, introduces key consumer and business concepts and helps youngsters understand their role in the marketplace. The FTC is the nation’s consumer protection agency.

“YouAreHere presents practical lessons about money and business in a fun and familiar setting,” said David Vladeck, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “The new content takes kids behind the scenes to raise their awareness of advertising and marketing, pricing and competition, fraud and identity theft.

The Great Mobile Convergence

Do you remember 1996? It was a big year. The Motorola StarTAC and Palm Pilot were both introduced. If you are anything like me, you couldn't wait to get your hands on either of these ground-breaking devices (oh wait, millions of you are like me...you bought the first generation iPhone).

In 1996, you could carry all of your contacts, calendar items, and tasks in one pocket and your cell phone in the other (or purse). Wow. You were a mobile office, and a proud one at that.

Patient ID Theft Rises

Medical identity theft is on the rise and expected to worsen.

The problem has grown during the recession as more uninsured people use the coverage of a friend, relative or even a stranger to get care. Of particular concern is the fact that most of the fraud is committed by people who pay medical workers for patients' information.

In one case, a front-desk clerk at a medical clinic in Weston, Fla., downloaded the personal information of more than 1,100 Medicare patients and gave it to a cousin, who made $2.8 million in false Medicare claims.