Survey Shows Consumers Concerned About Personal Data, Privacy and Internet Safety for Children

Kinetic Report of 1,099 respondents: 80% expressed unease, wishing they knew more about how their personal data is being used.
Top concerns regarding personal data collection: Social media companies, government, search engines.
Just 36% strongly agree or somewhat agree they’re in control of personal data. A third (29%) were concerned about how retailers and e-commerce companies use consumer data.
Want the full report? Click here to view the complete survey findings in our PDF.
LITTLE ROCK, ARK., [Jan. 24, 2025] – Nearly 1,100 respondents across 18 states told Kinetic they were concerned about how their data was being used and indicated some forms of parental controls are at the forefront of how respondents are addressing safe internet use.
The survey revealed that 80% of respondents are uneasy about how their personal data is used. Respondents were most concerned about social media companies (53%), the government (46%) and search engines (43%). Only a third of internet users report they strongly agree (11%) or somewhat agree (25%) that they are in control of their personal data. And, less than a third (29%), are concerned about how retailers and e-commerce companies use consumer data.
“Ensuring data privacy and security is crucial in the digital age. It is essential for business leaders to prioritize the protection of customers’ personal information while ensuring a secure online experience,” said Stephen Farkouh, chief information officer at Kinetic. “Our fiber optic internet service, combined with the Kinetic Secure solution, delivers not only outstanding speed and reliability but also the assurance of security and peace of mind.”
Online Safety for Children:
Child protection is a top priority for many internet users, with many respondents stating they implement some form of restriction on internet usage for children. The top restrictions include:
30% have parental controls
27% prohibit devices during meals
21% have screen time limits
20% supervise usage
16% restrict devices before bedtime
Internet Usage:
According to the respondents, a quarter (26%) use fiber with a third (32%) of households connecting at speeds between 100-500 Mbps. This underscores the increasing demand for high-speed internet that fiber optic technology and also makes the case that there’s room for fiber-optic growth. Respondents reported social media (77%) as their most frequent activity online, with communications like email and IMs (76%) second, and streaming services for TV, music, and movies (73%) third. Less than one quarter of respondents (24%) said they feel completely safe about using public Wi-Fi.
Fiber internet provides premium reliability with exceptional bandwidth and stable connections. Unlike Wi-Fi and fixed wireless, fiber internet has proven to be more difficult to intercept.
Kinetic is committed to enhancing the digital experience with future-ready technology that addresses both the current and evolving needs of its users. There are platforms available to ensure data and internet safety remain a priority, visit here for info. For more information on transitioning to fiber optic internet and enjoying a superior online experience, visit www.gokinetic.com.
About this data: Kinetic, a residential and small business internet provider, recently conducted surveys across its 18-state footprint involving about 1,100 respondents ages 18 to 60 who were asked how they use their home internet and their data security. This paper includes data from two surveys conducted July 25-31, 2024, and June 28 - October 7, 2024. Participants were recruited from consumer panels and do not have a relationship with Kinetic or the survey research company used. The sample was balanced across age, gender, and market.