A Word on Kids and the InternetWe've all heard about the dangers present on the Internet when it comes to kids. Our computer babies are now all on line IM'ing their friends, looking up materials for reports, and, yes....creating their own personal sites and blogs.
While I don't think there's anything wrong with them doing this if they are closely supervised, I do think there are dangers out there that the kids refuse to acknowledge. I have a niece and nephew who have their own sites on a faith-based service. But their sites are public and anyone who has access to the Internet can read what they've written, see their personal profiles, and look at the pictures they've posted of themselves. Their last names are no longer on the profiles, but they used to be and that worried me greatly. Not because I think these kids are stupid - because they're not. But even the smartest kid or adult can be led to think a person they are conversing with on line is trustworthy. Sometimes they're not...and this can have serious consequences, especially for a young teen aged girl.
Oh, I've talked to them about all this stuff and the importance of maintaining anonymity on line, but they truly believe that only good Christian kids they know at church or elsewhere even bother to go on their sites. I say just because they're not commenting, it doesn't mean they're not looking....it's a good thing they live in a very safe area and the danger is very low that anyone would be able to find them in person. Or I would worry a whole lot more about them, especially my niece.
Anyway.....our son does have IM capability but we closely monitor who can IM him (only allowing messages from people he's put on the approved by us list), what he's saying and look at the log to read what's been said (same with his Internet history to check which sites he's been visiting). I think this small invasion of his privacy is a small price for him to pay to have all the modern conveniences at his disposal. But there are lot of parents out there that both work and don't have the time to monitor things as closely.
If you have teenagers who have access to the Internet, I strongly encourage you to watch the Dateline episode on this subject on Sunday. The more times we can show our kids how easily this stuff can happen to even those that think they are being safe, the greater the chances that the message will finally get through their very trusting (and sometimes naive) natures.
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Comments
Yes, and what about all these crazy grown-ups who go and actually meet and STAY with people they have met online?? Who does that?? ;)
Seriously, though, SugarPlum hasn't started much of that. She has an email address, but she only get stuff from the grandparents and other family members. Nothing from friends yet. So scary.
Posted by: buffi on April 8, 2006 10:28 PM
