Contrary to conventional wisdom, parents and children report that the Internet does not isolate children from their families, peers or communities. Instead, the Internet is a powerful communication tool that connects children (and parents) to others – and could bolster the home-school connection.

Ninety-four percent of all parents whose children use the Internet report that their children spend the same amount of or more time with family and friends since they started using the Internet. Sixteen percent say their children spend more time, and only 6 percent say they spend less time.

Parents would like to use the Internet to communicate with their children's teachers and schools. That would create a powerful opportunity for schools to increase parental involvement. Sixty-four percent of all parents are interested in using the Internet to communicate with their children's teachers. Fifty-six percent of parents would like to be able to view their children's schoolwork online; 55 percent are interested in using the Internet to communicate with the local school board. These findings are even more striking among African-American, low-income, nonprofessional, non-college graduates and younger parents.

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