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While technology in today's world can be confusing,
it is important for all parents and guardians to understand the dangers that can
be found on the Internet. Below are areas
where children can encounter danger on the Internet:
WEBSITES
The Internet has millions of websites containing
many different types of information. When you visit websites you can read
newspapers, shop, research, play games, etc. There is a website on just about
any imaginable topic.
Some websites are useful and informative while
others are demeaning, racist, sexist, and violent or contain false information.
In addition, some websites ask for personal information such as your name, your
mailing address, your e-mail address, and other information before allowing you
to log in. When you enter information on such a website, you are giving up some of your
privacy. Your information may be sold to third-parties.
If you download from a website, be sure it is
from a trustworthy site. Some websites ask for permission to
download a program or “plug-in.” In some cases these programs can be used to
display advertisements and/or pop-ups on your computer. Even worse, they can invade
your privacy by tracking what you’re doing online.
Some kids have their own websites or post information on websites run by
the school they go to or an organization they belong to. Make sure your children
never include their home address, telephone number, school name, or photograph
or anything that might help identify them.
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CHAT ROOMS
A chat room is a website, part of a website, or
part of an online service, that provides a venue for communities of users with a
common interest to communicate in real time.
They allow users to communicate with each other
in real time, as opposed to the delayed time you get with e-mail. A
user enters a chat room, types a message into the computer, and sends it, and it
is instantly displayed on the screens of the other users in the chat room. You
never know who is going to be reading your messages or responding to them, so it
is best to be cautious.
There are different types of chat rooms.
Sometimes these venues are moderated either by limiting who is allowed to speak
(not common), or by having moderation volunteers patrol the venue watching for
disruptive or otherwise undesirable behavior.
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INSTANT MESSAGING
Instant Messaging also known as IM is a type of
communication that enables you to create a kind of private chat room with
another individual in order to communicate in real time over the Internet. You
can think of it as a telephone conversation but using text-based, not voice
based, communication. Typically, the instant messaging system, such as America
On Line (AOL) alerts you whenever somebody on your private list is online You
can then initiate a chat session with that particular individual. You can
exchange instant messages on computers and cell phones or between computers and
cell phones or any other Internet-connected devices.
What is important to remember about IM is that you are communicating
in real-time and that you need to be 100% positive who is receiving the IM. It
would be easy to say you are someone you are not by simply signing on under
someone's screen name.
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E-MAIL
E-mail is simply an electronic method of sending
messages - similar to regular postal mail. It is a great way to communicate
with family and friends because is is fast and cost effective. However, be
careful about replying to e-mail from people you don't know. Remember, the
sender may not be who he or she says they are. By replying to the e-mail, you
are verifying a valid e-mail address to the sender. Keep in mind that e-mail can
easily be copied and forwarded to others.
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PEER-TO-PEER (P2P)
On the Internet, Peer-To-Peer (referred to as P2P) is a type of transient
Internet network that allows a group of computer users with the same networking
program to connect with each other and directly access files from one another's
hard drive. The most common of these services are used to share music files.
Major produces of content, including record companies, have shown their concern
about what they consider illegal sharing of copyrighted content by suing some
P2P users.
In addition, the software used to access these services can sometimes come with
"spyware" programs that can invade your privacy and display advertisements such
as pop-ups and infect your computer. For this reason, it's important to keep all
Internet security features up-to-date on your computer.
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NEWSGROUPS
A newsgroup, which is also referred to as a bulletin board or forum, is an
online discussion group. On the Internet there are literally thousands of
newsgroups covering every conceivable interest. Unlike chat rooms though,
newsgroups are not live or "real time." If you post a message, it remains on the
newsgroup for others to look at later. Normally, newsgroups are used as ways to
get questions answered and share information. Unfortunately, like other areas of
the Internet, there are dangers. The biggest danger is in revealing personal
information. Remember, whenever you post, your words are seen by all even if you
are responding to a particular posting. It's best never to reveal personal
information on the Internet.
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SOCIAL NETWORKING
Social Networking sites such as myspace.com
and facebook.com have become very popular with kids. While the concept of
communicating with friends in one place seems innocent enough, because of the
vast personal information available on these sites, it is the perfect place for
individuals who want to harm children to find their victims and gain their trust.
Be sure that if your children have a profile on one of these sites, that you
monitor it and that no personal information is given such as an address, school,
cell phone number, etc.
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