Critical Thinking for Tweens: Focus Group Screener (Families with Children)

Respondent Screener:
Focus Group Study of Educator and Tween Opinions Related to Online Safety and Privacy
Recruiting Goals
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Two educator groups (up to 8 people per group) and four tween groups (up to 6 people per
group) consisting of individuals from the South, Southwest and Midwest regions of the
United States will be held.
The groups will be segmented by age of students that they teach (educators) or their
age (tweens). See below for breakdown. The tweens groups will also be separated
by gender.
• 1 educator group – teachers of students ages 8-10, with preference for
teachers of educational technology
• 1 educator group – teachers of students ages 11-12, with preference for
teachers of educational technology
• 1 girl group – ages 8-10
• 1 girl group – ages 11-12
• 1 boy group – ages 8-10
• 1 boy group – ages 11-12
All participants must be able to read, understand, and speak English.
All participants who normally wear corrective lenses, contacts, or glasses to read must have
them with them during the focus group.
All participants must have access to a desktop or laptop computer or tablet with working
audio and video features and Internet or data access to use during the online focus group.
They must be able to use the device independent of outside assistance. Younger children
may have help initially logging into the focus group but should not have others present
when participating in the discussion.
Participants cannot be employed by a market research or advertising/communications firm.
Tweens will receive $100 for participating; educator participants will receive $150 for
participating.
Educator focus groups will last approximately 90 minutes; tween focus groups will last
approximately 60 minutes.
Upon consent, groups will be recorded via Zoom (audio and video).
Obtain consent/assent.
The identity of the participants will remain confidential with responses and key findings reported
in aggregate.
Participants do not have to answer any questions that they do not want to, but are encouraged
to fully participate in the session.

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Recruitment Script for Tweens
Parent Introduction:
Hello Mr. /Ms.
, my name is
and I
would like to talk to you about a focus group study we plan to conduct for the Federal Trade
Commission. We are recruiting for an upcoming online focus group in which participants will be asked
to share their thoughts and feelings about information regarding online safety and privacy. We believe
it is particularly important to talk with kids ages 8 to 12 about this issue. Can we speak to
[tween’s name] to see if they are able to
participate in the study? If he/she is able to participate, we will need you to sign a consent form and
have him/her bring it to the focus group.

Adolescent Introduction:
Hello
, my name is
.
I’m
with
Fieldwork and we’re interested in talking to tweens about online safety and privacy. We are planning
to conduct focus groups with tweens for the Federal Trade Commission. Everything you share in the
focus group will be confidential—which means it will not be shared with anyone outside of the study
personnel, including your parents. Would you mind answering a few questions to see if you are
able to participate in the study?
Screening Questions
Q1. Before I start, are you between the ages of 8 and 12?
[YES]
[NO]

Continue
TERMINATE

Q2. Have you participated in a focus group or interview within the past 6 months?
[YES]
[NO]

TERMINATE
Continue

Q3. Do you currently use technology or go online at least once a week?
[YES]
[NO]

TERMINATE

Q4. How often do you go online?
 Daily
 Weekly
 Monthly
 Less than once a month (TERMINATE)
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Q5. How long have you been using online social platforms?
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Less than 1 year
1-2 years
3 or more years
Never used

Demographic Questions
Q8. Are you male or female?
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

Male
Female

Q9. How old are you?
 7 or younger TERMINATE
 8 – 10 [Recruit 6 female and 6 male]
 11 – 12 [Recruit 6 female and 6 male]
 13 or older TERMINATE
Q11. Are you of Hispanic or Latino origin?
□ Yes
□ No
Q12. What is your race? I am going to read several categories of race. You may choose one or
more categories as they apply. Are you… [Recruit a mix of races]
□ White
□ Black or African American
□ Asian
□ Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander
□ American Indian or Alaska Native
□ Other
Q13. On a scale of 1-5, how comfortable are you understanding and speaking English? 1 is very
uncomfortable, 3 is somewhat comfortable, and 5 is very comfortable.
[TERMINATE if 3 or lower]
Q14. On a scale of 1-5, how comfortable are you participating in a group discussion with
approximately 5 to 6 other tweens? 1 is very uncomfortable, 3 is somewhat comfortable, and 5 is
very comfortable.
Q15. Do you have access to a desktop or laptop computer or tablet with working audio and video and
Internet or data access to use during the online focus group, and are you able to use the device without
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help from your parent or guardian? It is okay to have their help to setup and start to Zoom, but no one
else should listen or participate in the discussion.
[YES] Continue
[NO] Terminate
From what you told me it looks like you are eligible to participate in the study therefore we invite you
to meet virtually with a group to discuss issues related to online safety and privacy with about 5 other
people in your age group. The discussion will last no more than 60 minutes, will be recorded, and
observed by the focus group staff. Your participation and everything you say during the discussion
will remain confidential. You will receive $100 for participating. Are you interested in participating
in this focus group?
[YES]
[NO]

Continue
TERMINATE

Because you are under age 18, we will need a parent or guardian’s permission for you to be in the
focus group. Will you be able to have a parent, or a guardian sign a form giving you permission to
attend?
[YES]
[NO]

Continue
TERMINATE

You will need to submit to us the consent form I will send you with your parent’s or guardian’s
signature before you participate in the focus group. If you don’t submit this consent form prior,
you won’t be able to participate.
I’m glad that you will be able to join us! The focus group will take place on [INSERT
INFORMATION ON DATE, TIME, AND FORMAT]. If you normally wear corrective lenses,
contacts, or glasses to read please remember to have them with you during the focus group.
Will you be available to participate at this time?
[YES]
[NO]

Continue
TERMINATE

Because you are under 18, you will need to get written permission from a parent or guardian in order to
participate in the focus group. I would also like to send you a confirmation letter and information for the
focus group. In order to do so, could you please tell me your mailing address (or fax number, e-mail
address) and a phone number where you can be reached:
Name:
Address:
City:
Phone:
Email:
Date of focus group:
Focus Groups Screener

State:

Zip:
Time:
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We are only inviting a few people, so it is very important that you notify us as soon as possible if for
some reason you are unable to attend. Please call [recruiter] at [telephone number] if this should
happen. We look forward to seeing you on [date] at [time]. If you use reading glasses, please bring
them with you to the focus group.

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