Kids know downloading music is illegal

Most youngsters who use file sharing software to download music illegally know they are breaking the law, according to recent research.

The poll of 1,100 young file sharing users, aged eight to 18, found that 88 per cent were aware that digital music is copyrighted but many admitted to carrying on regardless.

Just over half said they downloaded music (53 per cent) and a third downloaded games (32 per cent).

The opinion poll, conducted for the Business Software Alliance (BSA), found that fewer young people download larger digital files such as commercial movies (17 per cent).

"Unfortunately, many kids and teens continue to download copyrighted works illegally even though more than half of them think there are laws against downloading digital works," said Diane Smiroldo, vice president of public affairs for BSA, in a statement.

"What's most alarming is that eight out of 10 kids and teens understand the definition of copyright and nearly all of them, especially teens, are aware that software, music and movies are protected by copyright. The fact that kids know stealing software is wrong, and yet they behave like it's okay, clearly illustrates a challenging ethical dilemma."

The study also found that children and teens were more worried about technological problems while downloading digital media than they are about the ethics of stealing.

When illegally downloading, respondents were found to worry more about accidentally downloading a computer virus (60 per cent) than they do about whether they can get in trouble with the law (50 per cent) or accidentally downloading spyware (43 per cent).

Only 29 per cent worried that the act was wrong.