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KidSurf Online is committed to
promoting online safety for kids and teens. KidSurf's "CyberBeach Patrol" offers
the following safety tips and links to assist parents, kids and teens in making the most
out of their online experiences in a responsible informed, and safe manner.
Benefits of Going Online
and Introduction / What are the Risk?
How to Reduce Risk / Guidelines for Parents / Rules For Online Safety
Safety Links and Organizations
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 and teens are logging on to commercial services, private bulletin boards,
and the Internet. As a responsible online user you need to understand the nature of these
systems and how to protect yourself online.
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. Examples of these are
American On Line and Compuserve.
Computer Bulletin Boards, called
BBS systems, can be operated by individuals, businesses, or organizations. The material
presented is usually theme oriented offering information on hobbies and interests. While
there are BBS systems that feature "adult" oriented material, most attempt to
limit minors from accessing the information contained in those systems.
The Internet, a global
"network of networks," 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.
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, stock quotes,
movie reviews, encyclopedias, and airline fares are readily available online. Users can
conduct transactions such as trading stocks, making travel reservations, banking, and
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.
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 relationships 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 publicized 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. To
tell children to stop using these services would be like telling them to forgo attending
college because students are sometimes victimized on campus. A better strategy would be
for children to learn how to be "street smart" in order to better safeguard
themselves in any potentially dangerous situation.
What Are the Risks?
There are a 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 his or her safety or the safety of
other family members. In a few cases, pedophiles 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
Most online services and Internet providers allow parents
to limit their children's access to certain services and features such as adult oriented
"chat" and bulletin boards. Check for these when you first subscribe. In
addition there are now programs designed specifically to enable parents to prevent
children from accessing inappropriate materials on the Internet. These tools, while not
foolproof, are useful for helping parents control children's access, but they cannot take
the place of parental involvement and supervision.
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 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 assure 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, utilization 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 minimize any potential risks of being online. Make it a family
rule to:
 Never give out identifying
information - home address, school name, or telephone number
- in a public message such as chat or bulletin boards, and be sure you're dealing with
someone that both you and your child know and trust before giving it out via E-mail. Think
carefully before revealing any personal information such as age, marital status, or
financial information. Consider using a pseudonym or unlisting your child's name if your
service allows it.
Get to know the services your child uses. If you don't know how to log on, get your child to show
you. Find out what types of information it offers and whether there are ways for parents
to block out objectionable material.
Never allow a child to arrange a
face-to-face meeting with another computer user without
parental permission. If a meeting is arranged, make the first one in a public spot, and be
sure to accompany your child.
Never respond to messages or bulletin
board items that are suggestive, obscene, belligerent, threatening, or make you feel
uncomfortable. Encourage your children to tell you if they
encounter such messages. If you or your child receives a message that is harassing, of a
sexual nature, or threatening, forward a copy of the message to your service provider and
ask for their assistance.
Should you become aware of the transmission, use, or
viewing of child pornography while online, immediately report this to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children by calling
1-800-843-5678. You should also notify your online service.
Remember that people online may not
be who they seem. Because you can't see or even hear the
person it would be easy for someone to misrepresent him- or herself. Thus, someone
indicating that "she" is a "12-year-old girl" could in reality be a
40-year-old man.
Remember that everything you read
online may not be true. Any offer that's "too good to be
true" probably is. Be very careful about any offers that involve your coming to a
meeting or having someone visit your house.
Set reasonable rules and guidelines
for computer use by your children (see "My Rules for
Online Safety" on last page as sample). Discuss these rules and post them near the
computer as a reminder. Remember to monitor their compliance with these rules, especially
when it comes to the amount of time your children spend on the computer. A child or
teenager's excessive use of online services or bulletin boards, especially late at night,
may be a clue that there is a potential problem. Remember that personal computers and
online services should not be used as electronic babysitters.
Be sure to make this a family
activity. Consider keeping the computer in a family room
rather than the child's bedroom. Get to know their "online friends" just as you
get to know all of their other friends.
Print these out and post them by
your computer!
My Rules for Online Safety
I will not 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 is 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 will not respond to any messages that are mean or in any way
make me feel uncomfortable. It is not 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 will not access other areas or break
these rules without their permission.
I will not use any profanity or sexual words in my conversations
with others while in the KidSurf Chat room,
nor in any e-mail message I send. I understand that my privaledge to use the chat room
will be denied upon the first violation of any of these rules.
For further information on child safety, please call the
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678)
Some of the information on this site is from a brochure that was written
by Lawrence J. Magid, a syndicated columnist for the Los Angeles Times, who is author of
Cruising Online: Larry Magid's Guide to the New Digital Highway (Random House, 1994) and
The Little PC Book (Peachpit Press, 1993). Child Safety on the Information Highway was
jointly produced by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the
Interactive Services Association (8403 Colesville Road, Suite 865, Silver Spring, MD
20910,
Safety
Links
- Safesurf
- http://www.safesurf.com
- Safetyed
- http://www.safetyed.com
- Webtex
- http://www.webtex.com
- LegalPad
- http://www.legalpad.com
CYBERCOPS & CYBERCRIME
- FBI Computer Crime Center
- http://www.fbi.gov/compcrim.htm
- US Customs Child Pornography & Protection Unit
- http://www.gate.net/~customs/cpep.htm
- US Customs - Report Child Pornography
- http://www.gate.net/~customs/childprn.htm
- Center for Missing and exploited Children
- http://www.missingkids.org/
- HATS (Houston Area Technical Support)
- http://www.ghgcorp.com/lcarring/index.html
- Simon Wiesenthal Center - Cyberwatch Project
- http://www.wiesenthal.com/watch/index.html
CYBERLAW
- Cyberspace Law Center
- http://www.cybersquirrel.com/clc/
- Computer Crime Research Resources
- http://mailer.fsu.edu/~btf1553/ccrr/welcome.htm
- CCRC - Information, Internet and Computer Security
- http://mailer.fsu.edu/~btf1553/ccrr/infosec.htm
- Cybercop.Org
- http://www.well.com/user/kfarrand/index.htm
- United Nations Manual on Computer Crime
- http://www.ifs.univie.ac.at/~pr2gq1/rev4344.html
- UCLA Online Insitute for Cyberspace Law and Policy
- http://www.gse.ucla.edu/iclp/hp.html
- UCLA Cyberlaw Cases, Statutes, & Topics
- http://www.gse.ucla.edu/iclp/csth.html
- Cyberspace Law for Non-Lawyers
- http://www.counsel.com/cyberspace/links.html
- Legal Pad
- http://www.legalpad.com
FOR KIDS ONLY
- Super Trooper
- http://www.users.fast.net/~louis2/
- Notes, Advice and Warnings for Kids Online
- http://www.crc.ricoh.com/people/steve/warn-kids.html
- Project Kidscape
- http://www.australia-today.com/oz/kidscape.htm
- YAHOOLIGANS (safe kids search engine)
- http://www.yahooligans.com
FRAUD / SPAM / PIRACY
- National Fraud Center
- http://www.fraud.org/
- United States Postal Service Inspection Service
- http://www.usps.gov/websites/depart/inspect/
- Scams on the Internet
- http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/scams01.htm
- Spam Blacklist of Advertizers
- http://math-www.uni-paderborn.de/~axel/BL/
- Software Publisher's Association - Anti Piracy Page
- http://www.spa.org/piracy/homepage.htm
- Spam FAQ
- http://www.tezcat.com/~haz1/netabuse/netabuse.html
PRIVACY AND ANONYMITY
- Electronic Privacy Information Center
- http://epic.org/
- Anonymous Remailers FAQ
- http://www.well.com/user/abacard/remail.html
- Remailers
- http://electron.rutgers.edu/~gambino/anon_servers/anon.html
- AlphaC2. Org Remailer FAQ
- http://www.well.com/user/abacard/alpha.html
- Anonymous web surfing
- http://www.anonymizer.com
- Non-Technical PGP FAQ
- http://www.well.com/user/abacard/pgp.html
- International PGP Homepage
- http://www.ifi.uio.no/~staalesc/PGP/
- Joel McNamara's Electronic Privacy Page
- http://www.eskimo.com/~joelm/
- Mail Filtering FAQ (Unix)
- http://www.cs.ruu.nl/wais/html/na-dir/mail/filtering-faq.html
- Signature -Finger FAQ (Unix)
- http://www.cs.ruu.nl/wais/html/na-dir/signature_finger_faq.html
- Privacy in Cyberspace Factsheet
- http://www.acusd.edu/~prc/fs/fs18-cyb.html
CYBERSTALKING RESOURCES
URLs FOR
STALKING, CYBERSTALKING AND HARASSMENT
ACCEPTABLE USE POLICIES, NET ETHICS, KIDS, PARENTS,
TEACHERS, SCHOOLS
- Safesurf
- http://www.safesurf.com/
- WEBSAFE
- http://www.websafe.org/
- Larry's World
- http://www.larrysworld.com/
- World Wide Free Net IRC Network
- http://www.afn.org/~wwfin/
- Potholes on the Infobahn
- http://infoserver.etl.vt.edu/~/Sally/mmspot.html
- Child Safety on the Internet
- http://www.voicenet.com/~cranmer/censorship.html
- Avoiding Ethical Potholes - Acceptable Use Policies
- http://www.ucalgary.ca/~mueller/aup.html
- Acceptable Use Policies: Network Access Ethics
- http://pen.pa.k12.ri.us/AUP_1.htm
- Acceptabel Use Policies: Guidelines and Issues
- http://www.oise.on.ca/~mfung/intro.html
- Child Safety on the Information Highway
- http://www.missingkids.org/information_superhighway.html
- Getting Cybersmart
- http://www.reach.com/matrix/nyt-gettingcybersmart.html
- Safety on the Internet - University of Oklahoma Dept of Public Safety
- http://www.uoknor.edu/oupd/inetmenu.htm
- Notes, Advice and Warnings for Kids Online
- http://www.crc.ricoh.com/people/steve/warn-kids.html
- Internet Advocate - Acceptable Use Policies
- http://silver.ucs.indiana.edu/~lchampel/netadv.htm#Part4
- K12 Acceptable Use Policies
- http://www.erehwon.com/k12aup/
ABUSE Resources
- Child Abuse Web Page
- http://pages.prodigy.com/NY/dc/childabuse.html
SITE RATING / SCREENING SOFTWARE
- Safesurf
- http://www.safesurf.com/
- RSAC
- http://www.rsac.org/
- PICS
- http://www.w3.org/pub/WWW/PICS/ggg
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