Internet Safety 2007

Internet Security: Protecting our children

The 2007-2008 school year has officially begun. Children are encouraged to use the internet as resource for exploring the world. BristowEnews.com encourages school age children to read and write and make use of the Internet as an invaluable resource for learning. It is a fascinating medium. The internet knows no geo-political boundaries or territories. The benefits of the internet are boundless. Children are exposed to different cultures and new ideas without leaving the comforts of their homes. It truly makes the world a lot smaller compared to fifty years ago.

However, Internet can also cause distraction among school aged children. It can easily allure impressionable minds by the glamour it typifies. For instance, modern email systems, chat lines, and other instant messaging programs have evolved as a result and the need to communicate and express ideas among members within a closed community e.g., military. Eventually this technology was adapted to the open community and became a defacto standard for sending real-time messages across the massive networks across the globe. Although considered a relatively young technology, Instant Messaging can be a treacherous place for young adults and sometimes bewildering to parents on how fast technology has evolved in such a short period of time.

BristowEnews.com understands your concerns and offer some practical ideas and suggestions for readers of the online news magazine in making your web surfing a truly rewarding experience.

1. As parents be weary of children spending too much time on-line particularly children or young adults chatting on-line using Instant Messages (IM). For IM and other types of Chat messaging services, you can never be too sure who is listening on any online conversation. Also, what may seem innocuously innocent at first can turn into bullying and sometimes a frightening experience for children and young adults. Set a time limit.


2. Your child turns the computer monitor off or quickly changes the screen on the monitor when you come into the room. This is a normal reaction if your child has been advised not to participate to certain instant messaging (IM) services or if your child is looking into in appropriate materials.


3. If you suspect your child is looking into inappropriate materials you need to sit down with your child and discuss the seriousness and implications of these actions.


4. Online child predators will often work hard in dividing your child and their family often exploiting their personal relationships. They will highlight any minor problems at home that the child might have. Children may also become withdrawn after sexual victimization.

What parents should do:

1. You need to create an "Admin" account on your child's computer. Regardless what the child says, you are the parent and parent often knows best! For creating admin account in Windows XP visit http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/ winxp/accounts.mspx for directions. For Windows Vista visit http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US /Help/68a1c4fd-b3f6-4cb9-93a1-8a6023836e531033.mspx.


2. If you don't have a caller ID, now is the time to subscribe to this service. It gives you peace of mind and you can trace the phone number regardless, store the number indefinitely, and even block unwanted phone calls.


3. If you subscribe to a fast internet services such as Comcast, Gatehouse, Road Runner, or even FIOS invest and purchase either a wireless or wired router. Most routers are quite easy to install and operate. Once you installed and configured the router you can then enable the logging functionality. You should be able to monitor and analyze online transactions fairly intuitively.


4. Install virus software. Most virus software has built features for spamming, Phising and can detect malicious java scripts and other Bot programs.


5. Periodically update and patch your operating system and application such as word processor, web browsers such as AOL, Netscape, Mozilla, and Safari.


6. Avoid using Peer to Peer (P2P) software such as Lime Wire, Gnuttela, FreeNet, or other forms of P2P software. Believe it not the likelihood of your computer being hack is greater when the P2P software is installed. U.S. copyright laws allow for damages of $750 to $150,000 for each song offered illegally on a person's computer.


7. Sit down with your child and show them that the Internet is more than Chat Rooms, watching mind numbing videos in You Tube, or used for music download. The internet can provide your child a nourishing experience in reading and learning new ideas.

Finally, keep yourself updated by frequently reading articles about internet safety and security. Again, there are countless sites dedicated in helping parents and children make online surfing a pleasant experience.

 

Date Published: 2007-09-12 06:00:00

Section: Education,