JUST IN CASE
You are online

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.

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, movie and music reviews, and encyclopedias are readily available online. Users can conduct transactions such as shopping online. 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, take 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 online thousands of shareware and free public domain software titles.

Most people who use online services have mainly positive experiences. But, like any endeavor — traveling, 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 exploitative.

Teens get a lot of benefit from being online, but you can also be targets of crime and exploitation in this as in any other environment.

Putting the Issue in Perspective. Although there have been some highly publicized cases of abuse involving computers, reported cases are relatively infrequent. Of course, like most crimes against teens, many cases go unreported, especially if a teen is engaged in an activity that he or she doesn’t want to discuss with a parent. The fact that crimes are being committed online, however, isn’t a reason to avoid using these services. To stop using them would be like forgoing attending college because students are sometimes victimized on campus. A better strategy is to learn how to be "street smart" in order to better safeguard yourself in any potentially dangerous situation.

What Are the Risks? There are a few risks for teens who use online services. You are particularly at risk because you often use the computer unsupervised and because you 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 you may be exposed to inappropriate material of a sexual or violent nature.

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

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

Rules for Online Safety.

I won’t give out personal information such as my address, telephone number, parents’ work address/telephone number, or the name and location of my school without my parents’ permission.

I will tell my parents right away if I come across any information that makes me feel uncomfortable.

I will never agree to get together with someone I "meet" online without first checking with my parents. If my parents agree to the meeting, I will be sure that it’s in a public place and bring my mother or father along.

I will never send a person my picture or anything else without first checking with my parents.

I won’t respond to any messages that are mean or in any way make me feel uncomfortable. It isn’t my fault if I get a message like that. If I do I will tell my parents right away so that they can contact the online service.

I will talk with my parents so that we can set up rules for going online. We will decide upon the time of day that I can be online, the length of time I can be online, and appropriate areas for me to visit. I won’t access other areas or break these rules without their permission.

Adapted and reprinted with permission from Child Safety on the Information Highway by Lawrence J. Magid. Copyright © 1994 National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
All rights reserved.

 



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