Keeping kids safe on the net
As part of my last job I was required to track down people who had been using their internet connections for bad things, and so I can tell you first hand there are bad people looking to do bad things through the internet.
Some alarming statistics:
– One in four children who use the Internet are exposed to unwanted sexual material – Tommera Press
– 70 percent of sexual advances over the Internet happened while youngsters were on a home computer. One in Five Kids ages 10-17 have been propositioned for Cybersex – Newsweek – Legal Facts Vol. 2
– 21 percent of teens say they have looked at something on the Internet that they wouldn’t want their parents to know about. – Newsweek
There are lots of bad things and people on the ‘net, however, the internet can be and is a valuable addition to our childrens education if we are wise and educate ourselves a bit about it.
So, what can we do? Here are a few ideas:
1. Warn your children of the dangers of the internet.
2. Install a filtering or blocking program on your computer or activate the feature provided on your browser or ISP
3. Keep the computer screen in plain view
4. Keep the logs available, don’t allow them to be erased.
5. If the logs are erased, investigate why.
6. Keep your children accountable to you or someone else.
7. Be careful if using chat rooms.
8. Don’t allow personal information to be given out.
Most importantly I think, talk to your kids. Ask them about what they did on the computer, what they saw, who they talked to, and if they found out anything interesting. Not only will it help keep lines of communication open, but it will help you recognise (and seek help if needed) when something goes wrong. You might even learn something helpful yourself!
If you really are concerned, call a professional. Call your ISP helpdesk (well, maybe not if you are with one of the big ISPs) or a computer shop or repair person, and ask – if they cant help they might know someone who can.