These numbers might even seem low in light of, for example, the recent study from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (and MySpace victims) finding that 61% of 13-to 17-year-olds have a personal profile on sites such as MySpace, Friendster, or Xanga. The study continues with findings that 14% have actually met face-to-face with a person they had known only through the Internet (didn't MeetUp prove this was a difficult business model?) 30% have considered meeting someone they've only communicated with online (consideration being a rational process, not to be encouraged in children) 71% reported receiving messages online from someone they don't know (spam?).
Anecdotally, I'd guess that MySpace fear mongering has risen more than 367% in the last year and if 61% of kids really have MySpace et al. profiles then the spectre of electronic communication has posed a serious threat for well more than the last year.
Links: The Internet Stock Blog (original coverage) via Susan Mernit
1. MSN groups got negative growth rate, however its retention rate is the 3nd highest in the survey
Posted at 9:12PM on May 17th 2006 by SeeSunshine