Most parents love the Internet and want their kids to use it. But a new survey finds almost as many also fear the online world — especially social networking sites such as MySpace — and worry that their kids will get in trouble with people they meet.

"It's this complete dichotomy," says James Steyer, of Common Sense Media, which has released results from a survey commissioned about parental attitudes toward the Internet.

"They see this incredible potential, and they know their kids have to be there," Steyer says. But "it's also what they are scared of most."

The study was conducted online May 5-10 by Insight Research Group with a margin of error of plus or minus 4.4 percentage points. It says 80 percent of parents are concerned about kids meeting sexual predators online.

Young people worry about this possibility much less. A separate study, conducted April 25 to May 1 by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research, shows only 30 percent of 18- to 24-year-olds worry about being harassed or stalked online.

That's because young people who largely have grown up with the Net think of it as a social outlet, says Jennifer Berktold, of the research group.

To young people, the benefits of giving out some personal information to reach out to friends outweigh risks.

And, the study shows they're so comfortable with the medium that 78 percent have a personal Web site or blog.

But findings suggest that both parents and teens need more education about using online media, Steyer says.

Parents also recognize the importance of the Net. The survey shows 91 percent think the Internet helps their children explore their passions, and 77 percent think the Internet is one of the most valuable education tools teens have. But 88 percent think it's important to know what their kids are doing online.

That's why Common Sense has also launched an educational campaign that includes a Web site, fliers and public service advertising. A guide for parents and a tip sheet for teens and parents can be found at www.common sensemedia.org/parent_tips.

In the next two weeks, the nonprofit will launch a $3 million public education ad campaign with several media partners to be named later this month, Steyer says. The campaign will include public service ads in print, online, TV and radio.

Nancy Willard of Eugene, Ore., an Internet safety consultant to schools, applauds the idea of a media campaign even though plenty of information for parents and kids already is online.

"We tend to do a good job of reaching those parents who are paying attention," she says. "But we are also struggling in finding ways to get to those parents who are not paying attention."