Children and teens represent a growing number of online users who, like adults, are surfing the Internet, exchanging email, posting and reading messages in newsgroups, and joining conversations in chat rooms. While there are numerous benefits for children to use this technology, there are times when they have and can become targets for crime and exploitation on the Internet. Children are so trusting, and with their curiosity and anxiousness to explore this new world, children need parental supervision and advice on how to be sure that their experiences in “cyberspace” are happy, healthy and productive.

Things to know: Cases of abuse on the Internet, such as kidnappings or molestation that you may have seen in the media, although they are events that occur fairly infrequently, are real and are matters to take seriously. The important thing to keep in mind is that if you take the appropriate safety precautions and pay attention to what your children are doing on the Internet, you can prevent these incidents from happening and allow your child to have a positive Internet-going experience.

What to watch out for and prevention strategies:

1. Exposure to Inappropriate Material

• There are no restrictions for what is allowed to be posted on the Internet, and unfortunately children can find ways to access inappropriate material. For example, there are Web sites that allow gambling. In many cases, these sites operate legally in their jurisdiction, but if minors participate, it’s no longer legal no matter where they are.

• Prevention: Talk to your children about the things that are and are not appropriate to view on the Internet. In doing this, you can look into downloading software to prevent your children from viewing certain types of material. * Note: This software tends to filter out good content as well, so it’s important to read about the software and understand how it works.

2. Harassment

• Children may encounter email, chat content or bulletin board messages that are harassing or demeaning. This risk may not be life threatening, but it could affect a child’s self esteem and his or her overall opinions about life.

• Prevention: Talk to your children and establish boundaries for them on the Internet. Where are the places that you would like for them to visit on the Internet? Are there things that you would not like them to do? Remember, it’s always better that information comes from you first, and then when they encounter it on the Internet, they will know how to react to it.

3. Legal and Financial Dangers

• There are so many ways to exchange legal or financial information that unfortunately can lead to credit card and/or identity theft, and if adults can get into this kind of trouble, children can too.

• Prevention: Talk to your children about the negative implications that are connected with exchanging financial information on the Internet, and decide how much information about your credit cards or other financial matters that you will give your children.

4. Drugs, Alcohol, Tobacco and other Dangers

• Some Web sites and newsgroups contain information that promotes the use of drugs, tobacco or alcohol. And sometimes, it is possible to find places on the Internet that provide information on how to make bombs or obtain weapons.

• Prevention: Remember, your children can access just about anything on the Internet, and it’s important for them to know what you expect of them while doing this. What are your ideas about drugs, tobacco or alcohol? What are your feelings about bombs and weapons? Talk to them. You can’t prevent your children from seeing everything on the Internet, but you can help them form an opinion about these things before they encounter them on the Internet, and instill a sense of right and wrong in them so that they can be responsible while they ’surf.’

5. Physical Molestation

• Although not very likely, there is a slight risk that while online, a child might provide information or arrange an encounter that could risk his or her safety or the safety of other family members. In a few cases, pedophiles have used email, bulletin boards and chat areas to gain a child’s confidence and then arrange a face-to-face meeting.

• Prevention: Talk to your children and make sure they are aware of the dangers associated with Internet usage. Tell them not to give out personal information such as their name, address, digital photos or information about their after-school or weekend activities. Explain to them that not all people tell the truth about their identity on the Internet and that the people they ‘chat’ with may not be who they say they are. If you allow them to participate in chat room conversations, warn them to never agree to meet anyone
face-to-face without parental consent and involvement.

Visit our Internet Safety topic for more tips and tricks to keep your kids and yourself safe online.