child safety in cyberspace

Whatever it's called, millions of people are now connecting their personal computers to telephone lines so that they can 'go online'. Traditionally, online services have been oriented towards adults, but that's changing. An increasing number of schools are going online and, in many homes, children are logging on to commercial services, private bulletin boards and the Internet. As a parent you need to understand the nature of these systems.

Online services are maintained by commercial, self- regulated businesses that may screen or provide editorial/user controls, when possible, of the material contained on their systems. Computer Bulletin Boards, called BBS systems, can be operated by individuals, businesses or organisations. The material presented is usually theme orientated material; most attempt to limit minors from accessing the information contained in those systems.

The Internet is a global 'network of networks', and is not governed by any entity. This leaves no limits or checks on the kind of information that is maintained by and accessible to Internet users. However, some Internet Service Providers (ISPs) do limit certain types of information they make available.

The benefits of the information highway
The vast array of services that you currently find online is constantly growing. Reference information such as news, weather, sports, film reviews and encyclopaedias are readily available online. Users can conduct transactions such as trading stocks, making travel reservations, banking and shopping on line. Millions of people communicate through electronic mail (E-mail) with family and friends around the world and others use the public message boards to make new friends who share common interests.

As an educational and entertainment tool, users can learn about virtually any topic, e.g. a college course, or play an endless number of computer games with other users or against the computer itself. User 'computing' is enhanced by accessing on line thousands of shareware and free public domain software titles.

Most people who use online services have mainly positive experiences. But, like any endeavour, travelling, cooking or attending school, there are some risks. The online world, like the rest of society, is made up of a wide array of people. Most are decent and respectful, but some may be rude, obnoxious, insulting or even mean and exploitive.

Children and teenagers get a lot of benefit from being online, but they can also be targets of crime and exploitation in this as in any other environment. Trusting, curious and anxious to explore this new world and the relationship it brings, children and teenagers need parental supervision and common sense advice on how to be sure that their experiences in 'cyberspace' are happy, healthy and productive.

Putting the issue in perspective
Although there have been some highly publicised cases of abuse involving computers, reported cases are relatively infrequent. Of course, like most crimes against children, many cases go unreported, especially if the child is engaged in an activity that he or she does not want to discuss with a parent. The fact that crimes are being committed online however, is not a reason to avoid using these services.

What are the risks?
There are few risks for children who use online services. Teenagers are particularly at risk because they often use the computer unsupervised and because they are more likely than younger children to participate in online discussions regarding companionship, relationships, or sexual activity. Some risks are:

Exposure to inappropriate material
One risk is that a child may be exposed to inappropriate material of a sexual or violent nature.

Physical molestation
Another risk is that, while online, a child might provide information or arrange an encounter that could risk her or his safety or the safety of other family members. In a few cases, paedophiles have used online services and bulletin boards to gain a child's confidence and then arrange a face-to-face meeting.

Harassment
A third risk is that a child might encounter E-mail or bulletin board messages that are harassing, demeaning or belligerent.

How parents can reduce the risks
To help restrict your child's access to discussions, forums, or bulletin boards that contain inappropriate material, whether textual or graphic, many of the commercial online services and some private bulletin boards have systems in place for parents to block out parts of the service they feel are inappropriate for their children.

If you are concerned, you should contact the service via telephone or E-mail to find out how you can add these restrictions to any accounts that your children can access. The Internet and some private bulletin boards contain areas designed specifically for adults who wish to post, view, or read sexually explicit material. Most private bulletin board operators who post such material limit access only to people who attest that they are adults but, like any other safeguards, be aware that there are always going to be cases where adults fail to enforce them or children find ways around them. The best way to ensure that your children are having positive online experiences is to stay in touch with what they are doing. One way to do this is to spend time with your children while they're online. Have them show you what they do and ask them to teach you how to access the services.

While children and teenagers need a certain amount of privacy, they also need parental involvement and supervision in their daily lives. The same general parenting skills that apply to the 'real world' also apply while online.

If you have cause for concern about your children's online activities, talk to them. Also seek out the advice and counsel of other computer users in your area and become familiar with literature on these systems. Open communication with your children, utilisation of such computer resources, and getting online yourself will help you obtain the full benefits of these systems and alert you to any potential problem that may occur with their use.

Guidelines for parents
By taking responsibility for your children's online computer use, parents can greatly minimise any potential risks of being online. Make it a family rule to educate your children on how to use the Internet in a responsible way and to:

• never allow a child to give out information which can be used to identify themselves
• get to know your child's uses
• never allow a child to arrange a face-to-face meeting with another computer user without parental permission
• never respond to messages or bulletin board items that are suggestive, obscene, belligerent, threatening or make you feel uncomfortable
• remember that some people online may not be who they seem
• remember that everything you read online may not be true
• set reasonable rules and guidelines for computer use by your children
• be sure to make this an open activity.

Software for blocking access to selected material
There are services on the Internet which provide software that you can use to block access to material that you deem undesirable for your children to view. A word of caution: Not all Web pages may use codes which activates this software. This software should not replace careful monitoring of what your children are doing on the Internet, just as you monitor the television shows your child watches, the films they attend and the books and other material that they read or view.

Your Internet Service Provider (ISP) should be able to advise you about such software.