Online Safety

jammer45: YT?

djdog:yeah, WU?

jammer45: party at steve's tonight.  coming?

djdog: yeah, just to KPC say we're going to the movies

jammer45: K when you want to meet?

jammer45: YT?

djdog: POS DGA

djdog: B, RN 7-11

jammer45: K SYS

Even if you're not new to the Internet, the above instant message(IM) exchange may seem like a foreign language(IM Dictionary).  Chances are that if you have a teen in the house they are speaking this as if it were their native language.  The Internet has exploded over time with communications tools including email, discussion groups, blogs, wikis, chat rooms, and IM.

Whether or not you have joined the digital age your kids have and they may be the one you turn to for computer help.  But just because they know how to setup a computer, get on the Internet, and solve many of your technical problems doesn't mean that they are completely equipped to deal with all of the situations they will be confronted with on the Internet.

Here are some statistics found at http://www.netsmartz.org/ related to teen Internet usage:

• Over half (51%) of parents either do not have or do not know if they have software on their computer(s) that monitors where their teenager(s) go online and with whom they interact.
• 42% of parents do not review the content of what their teenager(s) read and/or type in chat rooms or via instant messaging.
• Teenagers who Instant Message use chat lingo to communicate and parents don't know the meanings of some of the most commonly used phrases. 57% don't know LOL (Laughing Out Loud), 68% don't know BRB (Be Right Back), and 92% don't know A/S/L (Age/Sex/Location).
• Nearly three out of 10 (28%) of parents don't know or are not sure if their teens talk to strangers online.
• 30% of parents allow their teenagers to use the computer in private areas of the house such as a bedroom or a home office. Parents say they are more vigilant about where their teen(s) go online if the computer is in a public area of the household.

• Approximately one in five received a sexual solicitation or approach over the Internet in the last year.
• One in thirty-three received an aggressive sexual solicitation — a solicitor who asked to meet them somewhere; called them on the telephone; sent them regular mail, money, or gifts.
• About one quarter of the youth who encountered a sexual solicitation or approach told a parent.
      1Ketchum Global Research Network. Parents' Internet Monitoring Study. National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and Cox Communications, 2005.
      2David Finkelhor, Kimberly J. Mitchell, and Janis Wolak. Online Victimization: A Report on the Nation's Youth. Alexandria, Virginia: National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, 2000, page ix.

Though the Internet can be a tremendous tool for learning, communication and entertainment, it is also has a darker side.  Online predators, spammers, and cyber-bullies are waiting on the Internet for people who will reveal personal information.  They will set up pretend sites, pose as other people and do anything else it takes to get what they want.  It is important that your child know how to guard themselves if they are contacted by someone they don't know and where to turn for help.  Ideally, that person would be you. 

Here are a few things you can do to make your child's online experience safer:

1. Educate yourself about the your child's Internet habits.  How much time are they spending online? Who are they communicating with? What web sites do they visit? 
2. Talk to your child about the dangers of divulging personal information or arranging meetings with people they meet online.  They need to be aware of these dangers and they also need to know that it is OK to tell you if they have had a bad experience online.  Most of these types of experiences go unreported so it is important to contact your local law enforcement if you have information that might help catch an online predator.
3. Keep your family's computer in a public area of your home like the family room.  This will make it easier for you to monitor your child's use of the Internet.
4. Set guidelines for the use of the computer.  These can be safety rules, time restrictions, etc.  The important thing is that you and your child have a clear understanding about how the computer will be used appropriately in your home.

You can use the links below to find additional information and activities related to Internet Safety: http://www.netsmartz.org/ - Comprehensive site for parents, teens, and younger kids.  It is full of activities and resources for educating kids and parents.

http://www.safekids.com  - This is also a good site Internet safety but includes information on virus and spyware protection as well.

http://pbskids.org/license/index.html - This is a nice tool for younger kids to test their knowledge of Internet safety.