Internet Safety: The Facts

The Internet is an incredible resource for children and families, but it's important that our children know how to utilize the internet appropriately and safely. While we want our children to know that the Internet is not something to be scared of, we also want them to be aware of safety issues.

Internet Usage Facts

• According to a 2005 Pew Internet and American Life Project report, "The number of teenagers using the internet had grown 24% [in the previous four years] and 87% of those between the ages of 12 and 17 are online. Compared to four years [previous], teens' use of the internet has intensified and broadened as they log on more often and do more things when they are online.
• Of all the teens in the 12-17 age group, 70 percent of girls and 57 percent of boys use social networking sites.
• In a 2007 study published in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, researchers found no evidence that sharing personal information increases the chances of online victimization, such as unwanted sexual solicitation and harassment. Rather, victimization is more likely to result from other online behavior, such as talking about sex with people met online, and intentionally embarrassing someone else on the Internet.
• Children are not likely to tell a parent if something happens online that makes them uncomfortable or is scary. This is especially true of cyberbullying, kids seldom tell safe adults or even their peers that this is happening. This leads a lot of kids into believeing it is only happening to them.
• Many children use the Internet with no adult supervision.

Internet Danger: Fact or Fiction?

Most people have heard about tragedies related to children's online use. It isn't uncommon to turn on the television and hear a story about a teen running away with someone they "met" online or hearing about a cyberbullying incident that led to violence. These stories can be confusing and leave us wondering if our own children are at risk. Certainly if an internet user is careless they can get into trouble no matter what age.

The Dangers

Inappropriate Material

One of the most prevalent risks to children on the Internet is exposure to inappropriate material that is sexual, hateful, violent, or encourages activities that are dangerous or illegal.

Cyberbulling

A child might encounter e-mail or chat messages that are harassing, demeaning, or belligerent.

Sexual Solicitation

In 2005 The University of New Hampshire Crimes Against Children Research Center conducted a Youth Internet Safety Survey (YISS2) , using a random national phone survey of 1,501 youth, ages 10 through 17. This study updates a similar study (YISS1) of 1,501 youth conducted in 1999-2000.

The survey addressed three main issues: sexual solicitations and approaches, unwanted exposure to sexual material, and harassment. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children published the results in 2006.

• Approximately 15 percent of young Internet users received unwanted sexual solicitations in the past year. This is down from 19 percent in the first survey. I attribute this to kids being more internet savvy, not that the internet is necessarily a safer place to be.
• 25 percent of the surveyed children received unwanted exposure to sexual material.
• Only 18 percent of the most serious incidents were reported. In most cases the incidents were not reported to the authorities, but to Internet Service Providers.
• A Greater proportion of online youth experiencing sexual harassment, which rose to 9% compared to 6% in the earlier survey. Study authors said it was consistent with growing indicators of online incivility among youth.
• A Pronounced increase in Internet users ages 10 to 17 who were exposed to unwanted sexual material -- fully one-third in 2005 compared to 25% previously. This rise may be attributed in part to increased time spent by this age group online; increased speed and capacity of computers and Internet connections to transmit images; and, aggressive tactics by pornography marketers.
• No decline in the most serious kinds of sexual solicitations -- those in which solicitors attempted to make offline contact with youth. According to study authors, this suggests the most determined offenders have not been deterred, and more targeted prevention efforts may be necessary to reach some youth.

What About Our Community?

Part of what makes the Internet so useful is the lack of geographical boundaries; this is also part of where the danger lies. According to the Lawrence Police Department, in 2003 they investigated fifteen (15) computer crimes, some involving children. We know that computer crimes involving children are dramatically underreported, so yes, Internet crimes against children are happening in our community.

How Can We Keep Our Children Safe?

We mentioned earlier what a tremendous resource the internet can be for children; the dangers don't change that fact. Risks are an inherent part of growing up. Rather than being afraid of the dangers, become educated. Knowledge is your best defense against the dangers lurking in cyberspace.

• Ways to Keep Children Safe on the Internet
• Establishing Online Safety Rules - Resources for help setting up rules for internet use.
• Recognizing Problems with a Child's Internet Use
• Use a Contract to help define rules on the Internet.

There are many practical and concrete steps you can take to help your children stay safe in cyberspace. Learning about the safety issues is a great start!