Internet Safety for Kids
"To Catch a Predator" is a reality television show on NBC that sets up, confronts and typically arrests Internet predators who arrange to meet and have sex with minors. This show has introduced the world to some of the dangers of the Internet; however, predators are only one potential danger to children on the Internet. For this reason, Internet safety for kids is essential.
Other People Are Reading
-
Significance
-
The Internet is a powerful tool that can connect millions of people around the globe as well as powerful technologies and adult-oriented websites. Children may not be aware that the Internet can also be used for dangerous and malicious purposes as well as for making friends or playing games online, and this can put them in the path of danger.
Types
-
An online predator is someone who lures a child into a false sense of security, sometimes by pretending to be someone she is not. Malicious software (malware) such as viruses and Trojans are another type of Internet danger. Adware and spyware can inflict a system with advertisements such as popups and track a user's activity. Experts such as Cris Rowan, an occupational therapist in British Columbia, Canada, point out that spending too much time online can cause "technology addictions, behaviour problems, developmental delays and social difficulties."
A child could stumble across a site or online game featuring violence and swearing or a pornographic website. For instance, unsuspecting users may have unknowingly navigated to the adult website "whitehouse.gov" while looking for the official website for the White House and president.
-
Prevention
-
Adults can arm children for the dangers of the Internet by discussing it with them. The American Federal Bureau of Investigation lists several pieces of advice for children, including not giving out personal information or sending photographs and refraining from meeting individuals from the Internet face to face.
Parents or network administrators (of a school's computer system) can install Internet filtering software such as CyberPatrol or NetNanny to monitor and restrict their child's Internet activity at home. Anti-virus software such as Norton Anti-Virus and anti-adware programs such as Spybot: Search and Destroy protect against malicious software such as Trojans or spyware. The FTC also advises keeping browsers and operating systems up to date.
A firewall, such as the firewall included with the Windows operating system, can prevent other persons and machines from accessing a computer. Parents can use browsers such as KidZui or AOL and specify the amount of time the user can spend on the Internet.
Solution
-
The solution to Trojan, virus and other malware issues varies depending on the nature of the infection. Anti-virus and anti-malware programs may be able to detect and delete or quarantine infections. Symantec, the company that produces Norton Anti-virus, has tools to remove some specific infections on its website. In more difficult cases, computer users may be able to restore a Windows to a time before the infection. Finally, a computer user may have to completely reformat her computer to factory settings to eliminate malicious software. Reformatting clears out all user-initiated changes and data.
Warning
-
Unfortunately, when adults or children are not aware of Internet safety precautions, the outcome can range from mildly annoying to fatal. The state of Michigan Cyber Safety Initiative has posted some of the consequences resulting from a lack of Internet safety. The effects range from the suicides of Jessica Logan and Ryan Halligan from online bullying to the murder of Christina Long by an Internet predator.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit kids image by Marzanna Syncerz from Fotolia.com
