Technology has enabled kids to explore the vast cyber world, however, though the internet has emerged as a great educational tool, it poses more of a problem as a spider web with increasing risks for children and deviant and bizarre opportunities for youth using it.

Social networking sites provide a platform that can be used by young adults and adolescents to stay in touch with friends; they also help in connecting them to others with like-interests and to voice opinions in numerous forums. However, given developmental milestones for adolescents such as forming identity, including sexual identity, rejecting parental supervision and forming strong relationships with peers, therefore at this point in life for them the net becomes a trap.

What dangers can children face while using the net?

• The net makes accessibility to pornography easier as well as access to violent/hate material and a whole lot of advertisements and sadly, search engines have given this phenomenon a fillip.
• Children innocently and honestly give out far too much personal information about themselves to complete strangers on the Internet, including their real name, age, address and hobbies. It is this very information that predators and stalkers use to bait the kids. It can also be used for Cyber theft with life-long legal and social consequences for youth and their families.
• Many teenagers are at the delicate age, where they are exploring their sexuality, as a result they may solicit emails that offer drugs, pornography, or illicit comments.

• In some situations, kids go so far as to meet strangers because of such online communications. Some of whom can be disguised pedophiles. At times they might seem like kids themselves being up to date on all the latest music, fashions and trends. They may not begin to introduce sexual content into their conversations until a long time has passed and your or your child’s guard is down.

• The idea of making friends though the Internet might seem appealing but it holds many dangers. People are usually devils in disguise. They tend to hide their identity. In order to attract the opposite sex, they tend to pose as good boys or girls. Nowadays, it is common for us to hear people cheated by their net friends. They become easy preys!

• Children might even get stupid enough as to start posting graphic photographs of themselves. Children have been found to use a Web cam to broadcast, in real-time, as they strip for the camera and engage in sexual acts, either for nothing in return or to get paid through online pay services, which allows them to accept all major credit cards.

Are you an oblivious parent as far as the net is concerned? Snap out of it!

• First, overcome the block and get well informed with technology. Learn about the Internet sites that kids visit.
• Get a personal social networking page so that you can participate in the children’s world.
• Keep the lines of communication open so that you can talk to your children, and they will recognize your interest in what they are doing is genuine.
• Place the PC in communal portion of the house where you can keep an unobtrusive eye on the kids.

• Make house rules for internet usage and safety.

• Try to make your kids more perceptive when surfing and giving out information.
• Try installing software training program called Cyber-Cops Air Dogs, which uses interactive games to educate Grade 7 and 8 students about the Web or checks like the Parental control software soft for you

• Instant messaging though which many young people communicate may be using code words such as Yesca: Mexican slang for weed, Woolah: A hollowed-out cigar refilled with marijuana and crack. Splim: Low-quality, ‘not into it’ sex offered in exchange for addictive items ranging from cigarettes to heroin. Find out more words here.

• Peer to peer networks allow network users access to each other’s computer hard drives to share files. You need to monitor the nature of files that are being downloaded (and uploaded) onto your or your child’s computer.

• Remember that personal computers and online services should not be used as electronic babysitters.

So what should children keep in mind while using the internet?

Thanks: Lindterbean

The majority of those children who offenders contact online do reject their approaches, but given the large number of kids they have access to, they’re easily able to make up for this rate of rejection. Further, the Internet allows these offenders to travel to areas where they are not known, thus avoiding detection and where they can move around with a feeling of anonymity.

In the modern world it is impossible to keep kids away from the Internet. If they do not surf at home, they will do it in school, library or at a friend’s house. We need to master the net to our advantage and not disadvantage. A partnership between the police, educators, child protection workers, parents and children needs to take place to minimize the risk children face when they go online.

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