It is well known that social networking online is a hit among regular internet users. A particular favorite among kids and teens and very popular is MySpace. So what has all this to do with child online protection? Lots, actually.
For, social networking sites are where online and sexual predators frequents regularly, why? because there is a likelihood of finding some kids who has posted and revealed personal information online and who can be targeted.
You have probably come across stories in the news about how some kids were led to suicide even, due to being tormented online like cyberbullying. All these in most cases originates with interactions on some social networking sites.
If your child is an avid user of the internet and frequently uses it for interacting with friends online, they are obviously doing this via social networking sites like MySpace. It is among the most used by junior high school and high school students to interact with friends online and also to make new friends. Using of MySpace is alright as long caution is exercised, but the concern here is that many kids reveals too much information more than necessary on their profile.
And that is exactly what online predators are looking for. Your kid’s online friend could well be a sexual predator with assumed identity in the same city. For, this is the way they operate. They create very attractive online persona to lure other kids into friendship with them, and will over a period of time try to extract more personal information like actual address, phone numbers etc.
Internet makes it very easy for anyone to create and assume any identity which is what is practiced by online predators, who are also frequently sexual predators. Your child’s very nice friend online could be a fifty years old man or woman at the other end. This is possible on the internet. In this scenario child online protection becomes quite a challenge actually.
You need to sit down with your children and discuss with them on a very clear term the subject of child online protection. Make it very clear to them what can be done and what not, and the possible implications. Let them know that the whole purpose is not only for their own safety but that of the family as well.
Let them know especially that they cannot reveal personal information online including uploading of photos and videos online. Let them know the seriousness of the whole issue, the importance of child online protection. Let them know especially that you are there for them and their safety is the most important thing for you.
Just telling the children to be careful online is not enough. You will need to take some steps to keep a track of their activities online. This is not an invasion of their privacy at all, it is solely meant for child online protection. The challenge lies in how you could possible track your child’s activities over such a vast landscape of the internet and social networking sites?
It is indeed a relief that you do not need to break your head over that yourself. Just make use of the service like that of SafetyWeb who will take care of the tracking and provide you with not only reports regularly, but with important alerts.
Child online protection is an absolute must ensure now.