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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted on: Thursday, December 23, 2004

Even online, safety is first

 •  Tips for parents

By Treena Shapiro
Advertiser Education Writer

As technology takes on a larger role in education, there are many legitimate reasons for children to have their own computers — word processing, spreadsheets, presentations and Web design among them.

There are also recreational things kids can do on computers, like playing games, listening to music or keeping in touch with friends.

But since kids can also get into trouble on the Internet, where they visit chat rooms full of strangers or happen upon inappropriate content, parents might want to consider ways to help their children stay safe as they explore the Web.

So if Santa is bringing your child a new computer for Christmas, the first thing parents might want to consider is where to set it up.

"Put the computer in a public area of the house where it's not hidden and private to the child," advises Carol Sahara, technology coordinator at Radford High School. "Have the computer in the family space where people can walk by all the time and see what they're doing and have a reason to sit in the same room."

It would also be a good idea to talk with your child about what kind of information they should keep private.

For instance, if your child uses an instant messaging program or visits chatrooms, "They shouldn't be telling people personal information, especially if they don't know who they're talking to," Sahara said.

Sahara has heard scary stories from students who have met strangers in chat rooms, then arranged meetings with them in person. "Kids at Radford have gone on blind dates with people they've met on the Internet, or they get lured somewhere and something they don't expect happens," she said.

Teens often give information freely without thinking of consequences. Giving out names is usually OK, but addresses are a no-no, especially if the person can get to you, Sahara said. The exception would be legitimate sites for educational purposes, which are usually kept secure.

In public schools, instant messaging has become such a problem that it has been banned on school computers systemwide.

"Too much information gets out. They're loose lipped, loose fingered," she said. "It's really scary when the kids don't have the discretion and they do things like meet strangers."

Reach Treena Shapiro at tshapiro@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8014.

• • •

Tips for parents

The KidsSurf Web site has a variety of tips to help your children avoid risky online activities that can lead to exposure to inappropriate material, physical molestation or harassment.

From the start, find out if your Internet service provider has ways that parents can block access to inappropriate materials. After that make sure you keep in contact with your child and adopt these family rules:

Never give out identifying information - home address, school name, or telephone number i in a public message such as chat or bulletin boards, and be sure you're dealing with someone that both you and your child know and trust before giving it out via e-mail. Think carefully before revealing any personal information such as age, marital status or financial information. Consider using a pseudonym or unlisting your child's name if your service allows it.

Get to know the services your child uses. If you don't know how to log on, get your child to show you. Find out what types of information they offer and whether there are ways for parents to block out objectionable material.

Never allow a child to arrange a face-to-face meeting with another computer user without parental permission. If a meeting is arranged, make the first one in a public spot, and be sure to accompany your child.

Never respond to messages or bulletin board items that are suggestive, obscene, belligerent, threatening, or make you feel uncomfortable. Encourage your children to tell you if they encounter such messages. If you or your child receives a message that is harassing, of a sexual nature, or threatening, forward a copy of the message to your service provider and ask for their assistance.

Should you become aware of the transmission, use, or viewing of child pornography while online, immediately report this to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children by calling (800) 843-5678. You should also notify your online service.

Remember that people online may not be who they seem. Because you can't see or even hear the person it would be easy for someone to misrepresent himself or herself. Thus, someone indicating that "she" is a "12-year-old girl" could in reality be a 40-year-old man.

Remember that everything you read online may not be true. Any offer that's "too good to be true" probably is. Be careful about any offers that involve your coming to a meeting or having someone visit your house.

Set reasonable rules and guidelines for computer use by your children. Discuss these rules and post them near the computer as a reminder. Remember to monitor their compliance with these rules, especially when it comes to the amount of time your children spend on the computer. A child or teenager's excessive use of online services or bulletin boards, especially late at night, may be a clue that there is a potential problem. Remember that personal computers and online services should not be used as electronic baby sitters.

Be sure to make this a family activity. Consider keeping the computer in a family room rather than the child's bedroom. Get to know their "online friends" just as you get to know all of their other friends.

Source: www.kidsurf.net/bridge/safety