Do You Know What Your Kids Are Doing Online?

As parents, we spend much of our time warning our kids about dangers outside of our homes. However, many of us may not be aware of the serious dangers lurking inside the ubiquitous, very helpful and innocent-looking family computer. Recent trends in computer use by children show that the age of users is decreasing and time spent online is increasing. 25% of five-year olds use the Internet and preschool children are the fastest growing group online. Children between the ages of 6 and 17 are on the Internet at home for an average of 3 hours each day. When the amount of time spent on the Internet at school or in the local library is considered, children today are logging on more often and for longer periods of time than ever. Despite the increased access to the Internet, studies show that many parents seem not to be aware of the many real dangers of the Internet. 83% of parents are satisfied with their child’s online activity. Online safety ranks tenth in parent’s overall concerns about their children’s heath and safety (after such factors as physical safety, mental health, drug and alcohol use and social acceptance). When asked, 79% of children versus 95% of parents felt that parents were knowledgeable about the child’s online activities. Complicating the supervision issue, children often access the Internet at locations other than home such as the library and school where laws prevent the restriction of questionable content. So what exactly should parents be concerned about as their kids surf online? • The number one concern of cyber law enforcement officials is sexual predators. Before the growth of the Internet, pedophiles (people obsessed with performing illicit acts on children) would tend to find jobs to give them easy access to youngsters such as coach or teacher. Now, these criminals are increasingly adept at using the Internet to lure unsuspecting children. In one study, 20% of youth ages 10-17 had received an unwanted sexual solicitation online. 14% of children have arranged to meet a stranger through the Internet. The methodical thoroughness of those who would lure unsuspecting children into a real life encounter makes our children very vulnerable. • Viewing undesirable websites is another concern as your children venture online. Websites featuring pornography, drugs, hate groups and methods of violence are easily accessed by children. One recent study showed that 28% of minors visit pornographic web sites intentionally. A whopping 91% of teenagers reported unintentionally accessing pornographic, violent or hate-based sites. Performing a web search for an innocent term that children are likely to use such as “White House” will bring up pornographic websites. • Harassment and intimidation have come out of the schoolyard and into chat rooms, forums and Instant Messages. Six percent of youth reported they had been victims of online harassment (rumors, threats or other offensive behavior). Children are often devastated by these virtual attacks on their reputations as Instant Messaging and e-mail can spread character-harming information very quickly to many peers. • Online marketing ventures view your children as lucrative targets because children are seen as the ultimate consumer of products being sold or advertised over the Internet. Because they may be lacking in judgment and have a higher level of trust in online technology than those of their parents’ generation, advertisers are eager to influence your child’s spending habits. Online advertisers can track your child’s likes, dislikes and online activities to monitor them for years or sell to other companies. Companies may capture your child through sponsored (and monitored!) online communities such as chat rooms, advergames designed to keep kids playing and keep kids buying, cookies that monitor website access and contests that require children submit their personal information. Although restricted by law in the United States, collection of personal information by those 13 and under was found in 95% of websites surveyed in a recent study. So what can parents do to provide their children with the benefits of the vast resources of the Internet while protecting them from those who might take advantage of them? 1. Monitor your children online. Restrict computer use to family common areas, not children’s rooms. 2. Educate your children. Using some of the resources listed on this page, explain to your children what dangers exist on the Internet. Empower them to become more Internet savvy. 3. Consider buying an Internet filter or at least use the filter that is probably already available through your Internet Service Provider (ISP). Today’s filters are quite sophisticated and can even track sites visited by your kids. 4. Encourage your children to alert you if they are ever uncomfortable with anything that they see or experience on the Internet. Then you can notify the appropriate authorities if necessary. 5. Get active. Keep up with all legislation concerning free speech, censorship and children’s access to digital media. Decide what the implications are for your family and let your legislators know what you think. Encourage your children to take advantage of the vast cyber-universe. Just remember to use caution and common sense to guide their web travels. Additional Resources:Popular Internet filters to supplement parental monitoring: -America Online Guardian -Cyber Patrol -Cyber Sitter -Net Nanny -Norton Internet Security -Cyber Snoop -BSafe Online Websites to educate parents and kids: -www.GetNetWise.org -www.SafeKids.com -www.FBI.gov (click on the Family link) -www.MissingKids.com (official site for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children)