Earlier parts: Part 1 and part 2.
As discussed previously, the Internet is not bad but Internet misuse is giving a lot of negative results. Parents should talk to their kids about the perils of Internet. You can use this as a guide.
It is easy to create a false identity online.
It is actually quite easy to be just about anyone online. To make a fake identity does not involve much. Many sites just put up a waiver of sorts for you to ensure that you are who you say you are. This is more a ‘deflection’ method than actual security, because the service provider can say “he said it was true, we have no way of knowing he lied“. With a lot more people sharing too many things, both personal and not, it makes fake identities even easier to do. It is very hard to think that an identity is fake when they have numerous “family” members, and pictures and connections. My advice: Be EXTRA vigilant. Kids, talk to a responsible adult when you are not sure. In fact, even when you are sure, get a second opinion from your parents.
Internet Predators
Yup, there are wolves in this world. These predators use the anonymity of the Internet to aid in their evil deeds. The lure kids and adults alike, trying to take away their money, purity, safety and even sanity. They lay in wait, very patient and ‘hardworking’. Their moral standard is basically ‘lower basement’. They are even worst than the boogeyman or ghosts because these creatures come out at night, while Internet predators are active all day.
So many websites to choose from (or to click on)
Advertisement on the Internet is pretty insane. It is EVERYWHERE. It is on the sideline, it pops up crazily with every click you make online. Pop-ups can be everything from online shopping ads to ‘adult’ style gaming. Sometimes the pop-ups have new pop-ups when you try to close it. Our kids are bombarded with these without asking, without any permission. Curiosity is a healthy thing, but in this case, it may be on the dangerous side. Kids love freebies (who am I kidding, adults too), so when an ad says “Click here to get a free version of a famous game”, it is highly likely that they will. The click will be followed by a streaming congratulations on your cleverness and bravery, which will follow with a ‘little’ form that you must complete. A simple survey that will give you a chance to win big! Seemingly innocuous questions, cleverly constructed to learn your habits and maybe even your personal information. My advice: nothing free is free. You always pay for free with something. That something may be your time, your money, your privacy, your identity……..
Not all information is private
There are ways to get your information or documents or pictures. When you share over the Internet, unless it is with a secure certified company, you have released your information for possible general access. How many girls have shared ‘intimate’ pictures with their boyfriends, the love of their life (at the time) only to have these images shared by those people when they break up, or have an argument? Sometimes, innocent things that you share can hold a personal information collectively without you realizing it. Say you like taking pictures and sharing them. In all of the images you shared, or a collective from your friends and family members, can unknowingly be a wealth of information for Internet predators. One picture shows you at your street sign, another one at your brother’s account shows the house number, even what your parents look like, who your relatives are or who their friends are. These are information that can be used to find you and hurt you. All it takes is tenacity. My advice: Do not overshare. Restrict what you share and how you share it.
The kids are in control
Recall the facts I presented, that kids grow physically faster than their common sense. Imagine you have a very tall 6 year old driving your car. Yes. Scary. Now imagine the same kid traversing the Internet. That is even scarier. Most kids do not have the maturity to distinguish good from bad, between evil wolf in lambs clothing and the real honest to goodness person. If we decide what age they can ride a bike, ride a bike on their own in front of our house, ride a bike to school, drive a car, etc; we need to also decide what age can they be online on their own in the family room, on their own in their own room, on their smartphones away from home and parents. No use crying over spilled milk. My advice: parents set up rules, discuss with your kids about it and stick to it. Rules are not meant to be broken, especially when the result of said rule can be the end of your kids childhood or his life.
These are but a few things that you can use to have a discussion with your kids on staying safe while using the Internet. Click here for some tips for parents.
