Do you know if, and how often, your kids communicate with their friends using social networks? According to study results released last week from AVG, about half of kids as young as six- to nine-years-old regularly talk to their friends online and use social networks. However, 58% of parents surveyed admitted that they are not well-informed about their kids’ online social networking habits. AVG, a provider of consumer security software, launched this survey as the third stage of its “Digital Diaries” research program.

Other noteworthy findings show that:

• 51% of six- to nine-year-olds use some kind of kids’ social network
• About 1 in 5 kids use email
• 47% of six- to nine-year-olds talk to friends over the internet
• 1 in 6 six- to nine-year-olds and 1 in 5 eight- to nine-year-olds have experienced what their parents consider “objectionable or aggressive behavior” online
• American kids average four hours online per week (slightly more than the worldwide average of 3.5 hours/week)

In addition to the survey results, AVG also recently released a digital book written by its Policy Officer, Siobhan MacDermott. Little Bird’s Internet Security Adventure is meant to teach kids about different online dangers so that the more time they begin to spend online, the more prepared they are to deal with certain situations. The book addresses issues including cyberbullying, computer viruses, inappropriate photos and suspicious friend requests. AVG’s informative survey results and safety guide are great ways to help both parents and kids better understand online safety. Kids are going online at younger and younger ages these days, and it’s important for them to be as informed and online savvy as possible before they start participating in different social networks and other online activities.

How old do your kids have to be to start going on social networks?