Parents_New_Roles_in_Internet_Safety

Parents New Roles in Internet Safety In this time and age, parents must have a concern for the children when it comes to them accessing the internet. With all of the violence, pornography, foul language, and sexual predators out there on the internet, and these are just a few of the safety issues. These they are things that parents need to be aware of so they can do everything possible to try to keep their children safe while they are online. This is not a privacy issue but a safety issue; therefore, it is not wise for parents to let their children to have unsupervised access to the internet. Parents cannot let their guard down when it comes to their children and their access to the internet. According to Olagunju, (2008) parents should be just as if not more concerned with what their children see and hear on the internet as to the violence, and sexual oriented programs they view on the television. While understanding that children need the internet for their educational research, homework, and other school projects, as well as for some social activities it is still very crucial that the parents be involved (Olagunju, 2008). However, some feel like Cathleen A. Cleaver that too many children that have access to the internet without supervision and some children know how to get around software blocker and go to the sites that are unsuitable for children. Cleaver, (1996) also writes in her article Cyberchaos: Not First Amendment's Promise that these software-blocking program will only work on computer in the home because children can go to friend’s homes and to the library and still access these unsuitable sites. She also talks about how the American Library Association told a Philadelphia court they would not use a software blocking programs in their libraries computers and that it did not matter if children used them or not that it was a matter of principle. Therefore, courts and their judges through their rulings have “This to-hell-with-children sentiment.” Every parent wants what is best for his or her children and this is especially true when it comes to going online. Gamm, (2009) says there is a question that every parent needs to answer, “Do we really need to scrutinize every single thing our children view on their computers'” The answer is “Yes we do.” A responsible parent will start getting involved right at the beginning of their children gaining accessing the internet. First, by installing the appropriate restriction monitors that blocks any web site the parent has an objection to, along with teaching them what kind of activities are acceptable and what is not acceptable. Taking time to talk to them and explaining to them that they are going to check on what and where they go and do on the internet (Gamm, 2009). Yes, there are going to be times when a child goes to a web site that they should not go to whether it is by accident or on purpose. They need to know that as a parent you understand that these sites are designed to lure them with new and exciting things and no matter how they got to those sites, they need to come and talk about the site or sites. However, some people like (Fleming 2006, Eastin 2006) feels that parents cannot or do not know how to teach children and young adults safety on the internet (citied by Olagunju, 2008 p.7). Parents need to take the time to talk to and explain why these types of sites are unacceptable as well as show the children that they are interested in what they are doing online. Keeping every child and young adult that uses the internet safe should be the first priority of every parent. When it comes to all the growth of the internet usage of internet growth by children and young adults the more concerned parents get. It is getting harder to search for a toy, book, or even a good place to go on shopping or a movie without running into a web site, which contains adult content. With all the pornography, foul language, violence, and sex that is out there and accessible to our children and young adults in e-mails, pop-ups, and spam parents have to be concerned (Bushong, 2002). While parents are concern that their young children may click on a pop-up or accidently go to an unacceptable web site that has pornography and foul language they should especially be concerned about their young adults. They are the ones that are setting up e-mail accounts where they can get all types of spam and are more curious and more likely to go to web sites that contain the following. Violence such as, promoting and plotting violence, hate crimes, showing them how to make pipe bombs and there is even terrorist handbooks. Of course, there are the many pornography sites that will show teenager anything and more. There are all the music sites where teenagers can download any type of music and many of them contain lyrics, which included foul language, violence, and sex. Then there are the chat rooms where anyone can say or pretend to be just about anything or anyone he/she wants because no one really knows who he/she is. It could be a forty or fifty year old male or female pretending to be a thirteen or fifteen year old just to get information from a trusting teenager who is willing telling all sort of private details to because they think they are talking to another teenager. These adults of course are up to no good and could possibly put that teenager in danger. Most teenagers have a MySpace or Facebook account or both, while they can be a good social activity they can also be harmful for the same reasons chat rooms are dangerous. They need to be careful of the type of pictures, and careful what they say on these sites. Unless they personally know who they are, letting view their page and talking to like in a chat room it could be anyone. There is also bullying going on in these sites (Okrent, Buechner, Christian, Cole, Sieger, Harbert, 1999 & Aftab, Boyd, Collier, Finkelhor, Hunter, Kelsey, 2008). Bushong, (2002) gives parents a few safety tips when it comes to their children and young adults. First, put the computer in a place that can be view at any time by either of the parents or another responsible adult. Second, there must be a trusting relationship build between parents and their children and young adults living in the home so they know and understand the rules about being online. Third, to tell and talk to a parent or parents about if anyone makes them feel uncomfortable, or tries to get that child or teenager to meet them somewhere without the parent’s knowledge. Fourth, Go online with their children and talk and show the sites that are acceptable and talk and discuss the sites that are not acceptable and why. Fifth and the most important is parents need to talk and explain why the children or young adults should never give out personal information to anyone over the internet even if they think they know who it is. . Okrent, Buechner, Christian, Cole, Sieger, and Harbert (1999) in their article Raising Kids Online post some interesting statistic from a telephone poll of teenagers 13-17 year olds back in April 27-29 by Yankelovich Partners Inc. TIME/CNN: DO YOU USE THE INTERNET FOR THINGS LIKE E-MAIL, CHAT ROOMS, OR VISITING WEBSITES' Yes 82% WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS KNOW HAVE YOU EVER SEEN WEBSITES THAT:* ABOUT THE WEBSITES YOU VISIT'* Are X-rated or have sexual content 44% A lot 38% Have information about hate groups 25% A little 45% Teach how to build bombs 14% Nothing 17% Show where or how to buy a gun 12% DO YOUR PARENTS HAVE RULES ABOUT OUR INTERNET USE, AND DO YOU FOLLOW THEM'* Yes, and always follow 31% Yes, but do not always follow 26% No, parents do not have rules 43% HAVE YOU ENCOUNTERED PEOPLE ONLINE WHO:* YES GIRLS BOYS You suspect are pretending to be someone they're not 72% 57% Say offensive things 66% 54% Want personal information like your address or phone number 58% 39% Parents need to understand it is their job to keep their children and young adults safe on the internet not the governments. Parents need to talk and start learning from their teenager, tap into their expertise and knowledge of the internet. Learn what they do not know or understand about the internet from their teenagers or another source. Parents have to realize that it is up to them to raise their children not Facebook, MySpace, or another internet site. (Aftab & Collier, 2008). The fact is parents need to take up the challenge and begin learning and teaching their children and young adults how to be safe while they are online. Parents need to become the censors of their families and stop waiting for the government to do it for them, because if they wait for the government to do something it will never get done and even if they do something it will not be the right thing (West, 2009). Collier, (2008) states that parents have to realize that there is really nothing out there to help them protect their children and young adults from this technology so they have to teach them to protect themselves and be there for them if something go wrong. In conclusion: Parents are the ones that need to teach their children and young adults the dangers that they can face on the internet. They need to take the time to talk and explain what can and will happen to them. Explain that there are web sites that are unsuitable for them to access and that it is unacceptable for them to go there. Talking and building a trusting relationship with their children and young adults is very important and can only be done by taking time and interest in everything that their children and young adults do not only online but in their everyday lives. The government does not know what is best for your family only you do. The government will only take away their first amendment rights. Which is our freedom of speech and that will only be the first step; the next would be the freedom to raise our children the way we want. References Aftab, P., Boyd, D., Collier, A., Finkelhor, D. PH.D, Hunter, R. & D., Kelsey, C., Keeping Kids Safe: Parenting in the Internet Age., posted January 22, 2008. Retrieved November 19, 2010, from http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/kidsonline/safe/parent.html Bushong, S., (2002). Resources for parents and children: Parenting the Internet. Teacher Librarian, 29(5), 12-16. Retrieved November 19, 2010, from ProQuest Education Journals. Cleaver, C. Esq., (1996) Cyberchaos: Not First Amendment's Promise, Retrieved from http://groups.csail.mit.edu/mac/classes/6.805/articles/cda/cleaver-cyberchaos.html November 27, 2010 Gamm, J. (2009). Censorship for children. Retrieved November 19, 2010, from http://www.bizymoms.com/expert-advice/Article/Censorship-for-Children/834 Okrent, D., Buechner, M., Christian, N., Cole, W., Sieger, M., Harbert, N., et al. (1999). Raising Kids Online. (cover story). Time, 153(18), 38. Retrieved from Associates Programs Source Plus database. November 27, 2010