Internet And Technology Dangers
Steve W Roche
Published by Dragonwood
Smashwords Edition
First Published 2012
To discover other titles by Steve W Roche visit www.steveroche.com
ISBN 978-0-9546805-7-2
Copyright © Steve W Roche, 2012
This book is also available in print.
The right of Steve W Roche to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patent Act 1988.
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This book is dedicated to my wonderful mum who so sadly died in 2003 and my lovely wife, Dominica, the caring and loving mother of our son, Mark.
Contents
Introduction – This is your wake up call
Danger 1 – Pornographic, offensive and harmful websites
Danger 2 – Online predators and child abuse
Danger 4 – Protecting your privacy
Danger 6 – Technology addiction
Danger 7 – Scams and commercial exploitation
Appendix 4 – Common abbreviations used in chat rooms and in texting
Introduction - This Is Your Wake Up Call
"The Internet is an uncharted world. It's a world that parents don't know, but kids do. Parents would be shocked to see what goes on." - Detective Chris Loyko of an Cyber Crimes Investigations Unit in Florida
These days most children and young people kno w about the dangers associated with the Internet, mobile phones and video games. Safety lessons are now taught at most schools. But too many youngsters ignore the warnings and still take risks.
But, as a parent, how much do you know about Internet and technology dangers? As a parent, you can’t help worrying about your children. You may be concerned about them:
getting into the wrong company;
being bullied;
getting into trouble with the authorities;
growing up too quickly;
coming to emotional harm; or
being sexually exploited.
Did you know that any of these things is a risk anytime your child uses the Internet? Something could be happening right now.
This book is intended as your wake up call. Its purpose is actually to alarm you. I don’t want you to panic, but I do want you to act. After all, the emotional and physical wellbeing of your family is at stake here.
The dangers which are discussed in this book are not being taken seriously enough by parents, children or society as a whole. Putting your head in the sand is not an option. Ignoring the problem won't make it go away. The Internet, mobile phones and video games are here to stay. So simply barring children from using technology won’t work.
When it comes to the dangers posed by the Internet, mobile phones or video games, we seem to read or hear about a new scare every day in the media. But most parents don’t do anything as a consequence to protect their loved ones. Many parents feel powerless and fearful. Children and teenagers know more than they do about the Internet, mobile phones and video games.
Just to repeat the point - as you read this book, you need to act on the suggestions made.
What are the Internet and technology dangers?
The Internet, mobile phones and video games are rightly very popular with children and young people. They offer them a range of opportunities for fun, education and entertainment. But these technologies also open the door to many dangers.
For example:
thanks to the Internet, it is now much easier for predators to reach and sexually exploit unsuspecting children;
every child who goes online is just one click away from obscenely graphic and potentially addictive pornography; and
a sinister form of bullying known as cyberbullying has grown rapidly in recent years.
The types of dangers are not necessarily new. But the Internet and gadgets bring the threats closer to home. Danger is a mouse click away. No child is safe from these risks. Many think they are, though. They think: “It’ll never happen to me.”
As a parent, you are the ‘first line of defence’ against online and technology dangers. Right here you’ll acquire the knowledge, the confidence and the resources you need to protect your loved ones.
You’ll find information about:
what the dangers are;
how big a risk they are;
what you need to know about them; and
what you can do to combat them and protect yourself and your family.
The main dangers relate to:
pornographic, offensive and harmful websites
online predators and child abuse
social networking websites
protecting your privacy
cyberbullying
technology addictions
scams and commercial exploitation
malware and hackers
breaking the law
gadgets such as mobile phones and •video games
When it comes to safety, what makes the Internet and new technologies different?
The first thing to understand is that the Internet and gaming cannot be made completely safe. There is no single point of control with the Internet. This makes it different from any other technology. Inevitably, children will come into contact with potential dangers.
Generally speaking, the risks are the same as real-world dangers. For example, bullying amongst teenagers has always been a problem.
The big difference is that the problems are larger in scale and are heightened. This is because of the nature of the Internet itself. For example, the perpetrators of online crimes can, up to a point, remain anonymous.
Take cyberbullying to illustrate the point. It can be more damaging than ordinary playground bullying.
One reason is that it can be difficult for a child to escape from it. A cyberbully can continue to bully their victim even when they’re at home. The bully can reach them via their mobile phone or through email and instant messaging.
Research reveals that people sometimes act differently on the Internet. This is one of the main problems. Plus, they think they can avoid the consequences of what they say and do because they can bully anonymously.
Also because online conversations are not always in real-time or face-to-face, people don’t get visual feedback on what they say as they say it. So they say and act in a more cruel way. This is more of an issue for children and teenagers. Many are still working out the social rules and don’t yet have fully formed ‘critical evaluation skills’.
The virtual lives of teenagers
A 2011 survey of the online activities of 2,300 young people aged between 11 and 18 from across the UK for the children’s charity Kidscape, found that 45% of children are often happier with their online lives than they are with reality.
Many said that they feel that they can be exactly who they want to be online. Many also said that one of the things they like about the Internet is the control it gives them. For example, as soon as something they are doing online is no longer fun, they can simply hit the quit button.
Other findings from the survey
1 in 8 teenagers are in contact with strangers when on the web and often lie about their appearance, their age and their background.
47 per cent of children said they behave differently online than they do in their normal lives. Many claimed it makes them feel more powerful and confident.
“These findings suggest that children see cyberspace as detachable from the real world and a place where they explore parts of their behaviour and personality that they possibly would not show in real life. We can’t allow cyberworlds to be happier places than our real communities, otherwise we are creating a generation of teenagers not functioning adequately in our society.” - Peter Bradley, Deputy Director of the UK Charity, Kidscape
We’re Not Taking This Problem Seriously Enough
Worrying Statistics
Cyberbullying
In a study conducted by the University of London in July 2006:
over 1 in 5 of teenagers said that they had been cyberbullied at least once; and
almost 7% said they had been cyberbullied more often.
Offensive websites
34% of teenagers report they have "received unwanted exposures to sexual material.” According to research, the more times people see offensive material, the more desensitized they become to it. They begin to regard it as normal. Offensive material can have a negative impact on a child’s self-esteem.
Online predators
A US Congressional study found that:
1 out of 5 teenagers have been solicited for sex on the Internet;
an estimated 725,000 American children have been aggressively pursued for sex on the Internet; and
1 out of 4 children have been sent pictures of people who were naked or who were taking part in sexual activity.
A University of New Hampshire Crimes Against Children Research Center study found that one in seven (13%) teenagers had received "unwanted sexual solicitations or approaches in the past year".
The survey also found that:
43% of the sexual solicitations were from teenagers under the age of 18; and
14% of the pursuers were people the victims already knew.
Other interesting findings from this study are listed below.
•Offenders rarely used deceit or violence. Instead, they appealed to the natural interest of teenagers in romance and sex.
•66% handled unwanted approaches by removing themselves from the situation by blocking the pursuer, leaving the website or by switching off their computer.
•Others told the person to stop, confronted or warned the pursuer (16%), while some ignored them (11%).
•Most victims didn't report the incidents to their parents or authorities. Only 5% of the incidents were referred to the police. 12% said they reported it to their parents. Just 2% reported it to teachers or the school.
In more than half of cases (56%) the teenagers did not tell anyone about the solicitations.
Online pornography
The same University of New Hampshire Crimes Against Children Research Center study found that exposure to unwanted porn is a large and growing problem.
In the study:
34% of teenagers reported they have "received unwanted exposures to sexual material";
92% removed themselves from the situation; and
only 2% of the teenagers who came across sexual material said they went back to that site later.
Privacy invasions
75% of children are willing to give personal information in exchange for goods or services.
Technology addiction
Research shows that because the Internet and gadgets are fun activities they place greater demands on our self-control. This can then lead to addiction.
People can get a ‘dopamine buzz’ from using these technologies. The brain’s ‘natural reward pathway’ can get hijacked.
Video games
Themes that are sometimes depicted include graphic violence, sexual scenes, drug taking, drinking alcohol, propaganda and bad language.
Only “17% of children say their parents check the ratings on the video games they buy”.
“We were alarmed by the number of risks being taken by teenagers whilst online. Safe online behaviour is taught in schools, but teenagers seem to be unable to relate the risks to themselves. This research should challenge teenagers, parents and professionals to do their best to make internet safety guidelines meaningful.” - Peter Bradley, Deputy Director of the UK Charity, Kidscape
You Are The First Line Of Defence
Emotions can run high when talking about these issues. Organisations and people get blamed for the problems. In the short-term, though, it’s best if we, as parents, focus on doing the things which are within our control. This includes, for example:
getting our children to the stage where they are able to manage the risks they face themselves; and
doing what we can as adults to make their digital experiences safer.
There is a generational divide, though. Many parents do not necessarily feel equipped to help their children in this area. Many parents, therefore, feel fearful but helpless.
The situation is not helped by the fact that children and young people are growing up in what is being called a ‘risk averse’ culture. They spend more time indoors than previous generations did. But to develop as people, they need to take risks and to learn to socialise. So what they do is meet these needs on the Internet and by playing video games.
Although they are confident with the technology, they still haven’t developed their ‘critical evaluation skills’. This is why they need the help of parents to make wise decisions when it comes to technology.
The fact is that a child can only get the full benefits of the Internet by also running up against the potential risks. But many parents either underestimate or don’t realize how often children and young people come across potentially harmful and inappropriate material on the Internet.
Everyone needs to be involved in fixing these problems. This includes families, industry, government and others. But, as a parent, you are where it needs to start for your children.
Action needs to be taken in three areas.
The availability of potentially harmful material needs to be reduced. This is a job for the Internet, mobile phone and video games industries along with governments.
Access to harmful material needs to restricted. This is a job for parents and everyone else involved in the care of children.
The resilience of children needs to be developed. Again that this is a job for parents and everyone else involved in the care of children.
Children and teenagers need to be ‘helped to help themselves’ when it comes to safety. Children will be children. They push boundaries and take risks.
The threats posed by Internet and technology dangers are no different to any other child safety issue.
Take road safety, for example. Crossing the road can be dangerous, so how do we tackle the problem? The authorities put up barriers in dangerous locations and place road safety signs where they can be seen. They also employ people to help young children cross the road on their way to and on their way home from school.
Parents also teach children how to cross the road. Importantly, the teaching is done in stages.
We start by getting them to hold our hands when they cross the road.
Then we teach them how to cross the road but we continue to carry on crossing the road with them and holding their hand.
Later, when we see that they are starting to understand, we let them cross the road without holding our hand but we make sure they walk beside us.
Eventually we let them cross on their own but with us watching from a distance.
Then finally we let them cross the road on their own without any supervision.
Going online and playing video games may be a more complicated process than crossing the road, but the same principles apply. As a parent you should change your approach as your child becomes less vulnerable, more streetwise and more competent.
This is the 21st century parenting skill
Unfortunately, no child is safe. Children from all backgrounds and of all ages face risks. So you need to teach yourself, and then your family, how to avoid the dangerous aspects of the Internet, mobile phones and video games.
You need to show children how to deal with the dangers when, and not if, they come into contact with them. So teaching resilience is also therefore very important. It is the ability to bounce back from a trauma or adversity.
Ways that you can teach children to become resilient include:
trying to talk openly and honestly with them about things which are appropriate for their age;
making the family home an emotionally safe place;
limiting the amount of time they are exposed to television, newspapers and the media in general;
helping them to understand that there is a link between stress and moods;
establishing routines for things such as bedtime and doing jobs around the house;
teaching them how to express their fears; and
teaching them how to develop a positive outlook on life.
Different ages, different dangers
Cyberbullying is the most common risk that junior school age children face.
Privacy problems and reputation protection are the biggest issues that secondary school and university students face.
Different ages, different approaches
Parents tend to have more control over children under the age of 12 than they do over teenage kids. The young ones need more guidance and supervision.
Teenagers are just as at risk as younger children even though they’re older and perhaps more streetwise.
It is important to bear in mind that teens are:
more independent;
less likely to listen to warnings from adults;
more influenced by their peers than by their parents;
naturally curious;
inclined to push boundaries and take risks;
often think they know best;
more likely to use the Internet to seek out relationships:
far more likely to meet up with someone they've met online; and
more likely to be taken in by commercial exploitation.
Research shows that teenagers:
welcome more freedom;
want more understanding from parents; and
should be listened to so that they feel what they think is important.
Actions you can take
Look for the warning signs
Here some possible pointers that there may be something to be concerned about when it comes Internet dangers.
Changes in the behaviour of your child. Perhaps they’re trying to hide something from you related to what they’re doing online.
Spending too much time on the Internet, particularly at night. This could be a signal that they’re talking to strangers online or that they’re becoming addicted.
Spending time in chat rooms, especially unmoderated ones - these are ones where there is no supervision.
Downloading image files - these are computer files with names ending in the letters .jpg, .gif, .bmp, .tif and .pcx.
Receiving phone calls from strangers.
Your job as a parent
Here are some general things you should do.
Get the necessary technology skills.
Learn the jargon.
Be cautions and alert to the possible dangers. But keep a proper sense of perspective.
Teach your children critical thinking skills and resilience.
Be sensible. For example, in the same way that you’d ask your teenage kids where they were going to if they were going out for the evening and who they were going with, make sure you ask what sites they are visiting and who they are meeting there.
Be constructive. Lecturing, spying, and banning Internet access will not work.
As you will learn later in this book, you should be as concerned about what your children say while online as what they see.
Don't just focus on the dangers which receive all the media coverage such as online pornography and predators. There are other risks ranging from cyberbullying through to addiction and scams that you need to be aware of.
If children do open up to you about bad experiences on the Internet, don't overreact or blame them. Listen carefully. Welcome the fact that they have told you about their troubles.
Be hands-on and involved with your children when it comes to the Internet and the tech gadgets they use.
PCs are better than laptops for children. Locate the computer in a family room where you can see it. It’s not a good idea for it to be tucked away in a bedroom.
Listen and learn. Find out from your child what they use the computer for and how they use the Internet.
Be understanding. Remember what it was like when you were their age.
Remember that, while children need a certain amount of privacy, they also need parents to be involved in this aspect of their daily lives.
Set groundrules
As a parent, you know only too well that if you tell a child not to do something then, the chances are, they will. So be prepared to negotiate at times.
Show them why you’re setting rules. It’s a good idea to help children see for themselves how they might get into difficulties if they don’t do as you say.
How you present your safety rules is important. You’ll probably find that they’ll respond more positively if you represent things as a way for them to be ‘cool’ on the Internet.
Post the rules you mutually agree near the computer as a reminder.
Monitor how well they stick to the rules.
Install Internet Security Software
If it’s not already set up on your computer, you should get Internet Security software. New computers typically now have trial versions pre-installed from companies such as Norton and McAfee.
Most Internet Security software these days comes with a feature known as Parental Control. Consider setting it to ‘on’.
Typical parental control features are:
control over the websites and content that can be viewed;
control over what can be downloaded and installed; and
regulation of the times the computer can be used.
Above all, you need to get home the message that they could become a victim.
Danger 1 - Pornographic, offensive and harmful websites
It’s worrying that very depraved material is just a few clicks away from any child who goes online. Either deliberately or by accident, children can come across distressing material such as:
extreme pornography;
violent images; and
propaganda, hate and cult websites.
Pornographic websites
Be warned
These days teenagers are being exposed to an almost constant stream of sexually charged images from the Internet and the traditional media like TV, newspapers and magazines.
The more often a person is exposed to these things, the more normal it seems and the more desensitized they become. These things can have an enormous impact on a child’s self-esteem and potentially his or her future.
Problems associated with the exposure to pornography
Research has been done which indicates that the widespread availability of pornography increases the threat of children becoming victims of sexual violence.
There is also said to be a link between pornography and incidents of rape and sexual violence. Furthermore, there is evidence of a link between pornography and child molestation.
Research has been conducted which reports that widespread exposure to pornography for children:
frequently results in unplanned pregnancies, sexual illnesses and sexual addiction later in life;