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Safe Surfing
on the Internet
In the same way that some people said money is the root of
all evil, some people blame the internet as a medium which
damages, or even depraves. Most of us would struggle
to survive without cash and we would be loath  indeed to
dispense with our computers. So, what’s the verdict on the internet?
On balance, is it a curse or a blessing for children?
Let’s start by looking on the bright side. It’s undeniably true
that homework sessions are no longer solely confined to the four
walls of a library where little fingers rummage through volume after
volume of books. With comparative ease, the internet provides a
seemingly never-ending resource tool, making it refreshingly useful
for completing those tough homework assignments. Another major
plus point is that children are provided with the chance to develop
problem-solving skills and with a place where they can mingle
innocently with others.
On the flip side though, there is a darker part of the internet. An
NSPCC survey recently revealed that three out of four children have
seen internet images that disturbed them. Couple this with the threat
of cyber-bullying and grooming then the internet suddenly becomes
a hostile tool. Thankfully, there are many actions parents can take to
let the children surf the net without compromising their safety.
Online threats
Cyber-Bullying: One of the ways bullying in the 21st century comes
is via threats, harassment and psychological torment via email or,
by peers, in a virtual chat room. Naturally, this can have a soul destroying
effect on a child.
Grooming: Although still rare, sadly, the ‘grooming’ of youngsters
online still exists. A child may innocently stumble across a site where
there are social networking or chat room options. He or she might
naively submit personal details.
Social Networking Sites: There have been reports which suggest
that some older primary school children seek out so-called social networking
sites, such as Facebook, Bebo and MySpace. However,
it’s worth noting that there is often a minimum age to subscribe to
such sites. For Bebo and Facebook it is 13, and on MySpace you need
to be 14 years old.
How to keep your child safe online:
Strictly offline: Keep communication open
It’s certainly not unusual for children to know more than their
parents do about computers. But parents can use this to their
advantage by asking their children to help them become more
web-literate. It’s also a good time for a child to explain what's good
and not so good about the internet and to show the sites they
visit. Learn as much as possible about what your child does on
the computer and always keep an eye on your children when they
explore the internet.
Children should never give out personal details online:
Children need to know that they shouldn’t give out personal
information to people they meet on the internet. This includes their
name, email address, postal address, phone number, photo, school
address, etc. Gently teach your children to protect their privacy
and themselves. Remember, most child-friendly sites do not ask for
children’s personal details.
If a child has accidentally visited an inappropriate website:
Don't blame or punish your child if he or she accidentally, or out of
curiosity, stumbles across an inappropriate website. Instead, experts
at the NCH say it's more sensible to talk to your child about the
possibility of finding inappropriate material. That way, he will feel
free to discuss things openly with you and will be less vulnerable
to abusers urging him to keep secrets. Together, work out ways to
avoid inappropriate websites.
Install Parental Control Software:
Did you know there is software tools designed to help keep your
child safe online? NSPCC policy advisor Zoe Hilton said: “Parental
control software is now installed on most new PCs, but needs to be
set up before it can be used. Some parents may not know it is there.
If it is not turned on, their children run the risk of stumbling across
unsuitable and distressing material.”
Parental controls installed on Microsoft Windows Vista can be
accessed from the control panel on the Start Menu. Family safety
software is also available online free or for purchase. The site www.getnetwise.org offers a useful comparison of different safety tools.
Parents can also speak to their local PC store to find a software
package that's right for them.
In particular, search for tools that:-
Monitor your child's online activities through a variety
of methods.
Filter explicit images. But do be aware, no filter is perfect.
Limit the amount of time your child spends online.
Block your child's personal information from being shown.
Check your Internet Service Provider for online safety tools:
Your ISP may o er tools that help protect children while they are
surfing the internet. Many ISPs provide child safety features or offer
discounted rates for child safety software. Also, it’s worth checking
for special web browsers designed for children that serve as a
gateway between your computer and the internet. These will help filter out inappropriate words or images.
Finally: Get computer-savvy
If you feel you are behind the times when it comes to IT, why not join
an Internet course? To nd a course that fits around your lifestyle go
to the Learn Direct website – www.learndirect.co.uk
You can report incidents of abusive emails and inappropriate sites
to your Internet Service Provider (ISP). Any highly disturbing images
should be reported to the Internet Watch Foundation.
Kirsty Woodgate
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