Monday - Jun 14, 2010
Last week I received a message for a student at the Saltley School & Specialist Science College in the UK, asking me to speak to the class about Internet safety for children. As much as I would have enjoyed this, because I live in San Francisco, the distance makes this impossible. As an alternative, the student sent me a list of questions. I’ve posted the answers below. I hope that students at the school and you as well, will post your comments and pose additional questions so we can begin a dialogue around this important issue.
1. Why are children at risk on the Internet?
Children are not as well equipped as adults to know when something poses a risk. They tend to be trusting, which makes them targets for exploitation and bullying. But for the most part, the Internet is a safe place. That doesn’t mean children shouldn’t be careful. Just as in the real world, there are people—other children and adults–who may try to take advantage of them.
Because it’s difficult to know someone’s real identity online, some adults may misrepresent who they are, for instance, posing as another child, and then try to befriend you. Their ultimate goal is to meet you alone. Once they do that, they may attempt to physically abuse or molest you. Cyberbulling, threats or intimidation by another minor, is also a risk. More on this follows.
Children may also stumble on things that make them uncomfortable or find disturbing, for instance, sexual or violent images.
2. What is the biggest danger?
Although common wisdom holds that adults pose the greatest danger, researchers at Harvard found that other children are the biggest problem. Just as there are bullies in the schoolyard, the same inappropriate things go on via the Internet. Cyberbullies may post hurtful comments, inappropriate pictures and spread malicious rumors.
Here’s a link to the report: http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/pubrelease/isttf/
3. How can we be safe on the internet?
To keep out of trouble, here are a few things I recommend:
*Don’t give out any personal information about yourself unless you check with your parents first.
*Don’t give out your telephone number or parents’ credit card numbers online or in an e-mail unless they say it’s okay.
*Make sure you tell your parents or another responsible adult immediately if you find anything that makes you feel uncomfortable. This might be something someone says to you in a chat room, an e-mail message you’ve received, or something posted on a social networking site like Facebook.
4. How can we prevent danger on the internet?
While you can never completely prevent danger, you can use common sense to avoid dangerous places. With tools like Google it’s easy to find and explore places you shouldn’t really go—websites that aren’t appropriate for children or chat rooms with adult content. You may be curious, but it could get you into trouble.
5. What could happen if we give out our personal information online?
By giving out personal information, such as your phone number, someone may call you and try to get you alone, or just call and tease you. If you post your address, it could result in an unwanted visit or someone stalking you. This information might also be spread across the Internet and have unintended consequences.
6. How can cyberbulling stop?
Cyberbulling is a cowardly act aided by the anonymity of the Internet. The bully is afraid to say something to your face or in front of other people, so he or she does it online, where no one can see.
Just as calling other kids certain names has become uncool, education is a key to stopping cyberbulling. This practice should not be tolerated by anyone. If you know someone who is doing it, tell him or her to stop immediately. If not, report the person.
If you’re a victim and this is happening at school, tell a teacher or guidance counselor. If at home, talk to your parents or an older brother or sister. In some cases, you might want to inform the police. There are ways to uncover the identity of bullies. Once unmasked, they will have to face the consequences.
