your net:// Youthful web users need a safety net

By CHRIS BARTON

"Don't click on that."

Monika's mouse cursor is heading for the banner at the top of the page.

"Those are advertisements - people trying to sell you something. Look but don't click."

For a child of today's consumer age, it's a difficult concept to understand - especially because the flashing banners are so enticing. We notice a banner disguised as computer error dialogue box. It says something like: "Error, computer too slow, click here." Monika can't believe it's an advertisement.

"That sort of ad should be banned," she says.

Now seems as good a time as any to discuss some other web dangers. I tell her the web has lots of good stuff, but there is also material that's not suitable for children.

"Like what?" she asks.

"Well, it's a bit like certain TV programmes - the ones that are too violent and you don't watch because they scare you. Or those that have too much about sex in them."

Just by following a few rules, I tell her, it's easy to be safe on the net. That it's important to NEVER give out personal information like your full name, phone number or address.

"Why?"

"Well, just like anywhere, there are real creeps out there who use the net to try to get in touch with children without their parents knowing and may do them harm."

As a way to take the discussion further I show her a copy of yahooligans family pledge which aims to create a contract between child and parents about safe internet use.

There are plenty of examples of this type of contract, usually found under the parents section of reputable kids' sites. It outlines basic steps to be safe online, mainly involving the child talking to parents first if there's anything they're unsure about, never giving out personal information, and talking about what they're doing on the web.

Parents wanting more advice should visit www.netsafe.org.nz or www.safekids.com. The latter has links to the enormous range of filtering, blocking and monitoring software that can be used to protect your kids even further. I'm not a great fan of this approach because it feels like abdication of parental responsibility to a piece of technology. That's why I don't bother with the R18 codes for Sky TV either.

That said, I have to admit I did use the history file after the 18-year-old had been doing some intensive web surfing. Turned out he'd been researching the infinite variety of the species cannabis sativa.

Although such software and internet providers - such as www.family.net.nz - which block inappropriate sites clearly have their place, they're no substitute for knowing what your child is doing online. For us that means having the PC set up in the most public place of the house, being there when the children are online and talking to them about their online adventures.

Links


Yahooligans family pledge

Netsafe.org.nz

Safekids.com

Family.net.nz