DEPARTMENT:

Protecting
Children
from
Online Predators

The Internet is an amazing resource for information on just about any topic. It is also potentially a very unsafe place for children.

Consider that in 2004 more youngsters used the Internet than adults, 44 percent of kids felt sexually harassed on the Internet, 28 percent of minors visited pornographic Web pages and 50 percent of them used the Internet without supervision.

The impact of the Internet on children and how to protect them from its harmful effects should be a primary concern for all adults. These warning signs can help you discern if kids are getting into dangerous territory on the Internet:

• They hide computer CDs and disks.
• They quickly change what’s on the computer screen when you enter the room.
• They spend a lot of time on the Internet or are online late into the night.
• They exhibit changes in behavior — for example, secretiveness, inappropriate sexual knowledge, mention of adults you don’t know and sleeping problems.
• They neglect school assignments, avoid normal social activities or withdraw from the family.
• They receive gifts from someone you don’t know.
• You find pornography or encrypted (coded) files on the computer.

How can you protect young ones from Internet dangers? An important first step is to place thecomputer in a more public area in the home so you can discreetly observe their computer use.
Also consider using software that filters e-mail and blocks access to undesirable Web sites. Some programs enable you to configure the computer so that certain character strings — such as addresses, phone numbers, credit card accounts and other personal information — can’t be transmitted via e-mail. NetNanny (www.netnanny.com), CYBERsitter (www.cybersitter.com) and Cyber Patrol (www.cyberpatrol.com) are among the best-known options. 

An effective way to establish limits is to create a written contract that both adult and child read and sign together. Here’s one good example, which comes from www.cyberpatrol.com:

I will not use my real name in chat rooms. I will pick an online nickname.
I will not tell anyone personal things about myself or my family — like names, addresses, telephone numbers, clubs I go to, financial information, my age, school name or location.
I will never send a picture or anything else without first checking with my parents.
I will never agree to get together with someone that I meet online without first checking with my parents. If my parents agree to the meeting, I will be sure that it is in a public place and take my mother or father (or other trusted adult) along with me.
I will never respond to nasty or rude messages. It is not my fault if I get a message like that. If I do I will tell my parents right away so they can contact the Internet service provider.
I will be careful of any email attachments or links, as they can contain nasty images or computer viruses that can ruin the computer. If I receive an e-mail from a source I don’t know, I will not open it.

I will talk with my parents so that we can set up rules for going online. We will decide the time of day that I can be online, the length of time I can be online and appropriate areas for me to visit. I will not access other areas or break these rules without their permission.

I will be a good online citizen and not do anything that hurts other people or is against the law.

Such contracts are a great way to help you protect children from the evils lurking online. SuperGeeks offers free presentations on this subject. For more information, call 942-0773.

James Kerr is President/CEO of SuperGeeks, a Hawaii-based computer service and repair company (www.supergeeks.net). Send your questions, comments and suggestions to him at help@supergeeks.net.

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