Online Safety

originally uploaded by More Than A Model:: San Francisco.

"TV Turnoff/Screen Time Reduction Week" presents an opportunity for adults to raise their awareness of online safety risks and learn the tactics that keep children safe.

Kids are choosing the Internet over TV in large numbers, making screen reduction the larger issue. In the US, 45% of children use the Internet, representing 30 million under the age of 18.

Some have Internet access through cell phones, which are very prevalent among kids. According to the Wall Street Journal, 72% of teens between ages 13 and 17 have their own cell phones, and almost 30% of those consider Web access to be an essential feature for their next phone.

Awareness has been raised to many of the Internet dangers that exist, including receiving a sexual solicitation online, being sent explicit material, cyberstalking, and other risks.

Further, most adults are aware that other forms of electronic communication, including text messaging, chatting and using Social Networking web sites, present opportunities for kids to be exposed to or engage in risky or inappropriate communication with others.

Adults may not be aware, however, that tweens and teens are at a hgher risk of being solicited and exploited by online predators, not younger children. They're also more apt to become involved in incidents of online bullying (cyberbullying) and harassment. This age group is also more tech savvy, making it a greater challenge for adults who aren't as adept to rise to the safety challenge presented by the Internet and other electronic media.

Here are a few tips:

• Begin with the basics: Know what actions are safe and what are not, and make good online habits a practice.
  

• Be aware of potential privacy exposures: Know what information to share and what not to when using sites or interacting with others. Understand what happens to information you share when using different sites.
  

• Be an example: Teaching others is more effective when you're practicing the essentials yourself, including using safe screen names and passwords. Descriptive names and words found in the dictionary are poor choices, respectively, as they are vulnerable to attack by hackers.
  

• Be skilled: Take advantage of learning tools to bridge the digital divide between yourself and the kids in your life. iSafe offers an Internet Safety curriculum designed to be taken online at your own pace. It is customized to specific audiences who may be teaching kids how to be safe online, including parents, mentors and law enforcement.

Additional resources include:

• NetSmartz 411: This site provides adults with Online Safety information and offers a searchable knowledge base on relevant topics. Learn about everything from MySpace to tracking your child's online activity. You can even ask questions to an expert using an online form or a toll-free number.

• Take 25: Offers downloadable Safety Tips for parents, including ways to keep them safe at home, online and elsewhere.

If you don't have a computer at home, they are available at your local library.

Remember, always report any incidence of computer related crime to the police.