Dangers Associated With Children Using The Internet
The Internet contains an incredible number of high-quality, educational, and well-designed websites. With such a vast array of information available, most people recognize that surfing the Web is usually a source of great enjoyment and education. However, there is typically no supervision in the online world and it is sometimes difficult to know when positive online activity could become dangerous or harmful.
Therefore, it is important for one to understand what dangers currently exist… and then to educate oneself on how to both avoid and thwart such dangers in the future.
But before we start talking about solutions, we’ve got to point out the problems. So let’s start by taking a look at what it is exactly that has so many parents, teachers and school adminstrators are afraid of when it comes to children and the Internet.
Pornography
One of the biggest fears that people have about using the Internet is the unwelcomed presence of pornography and graphic photos, videos and images of a sexual nature. The Internet abounds with information of this type and it is one of the biggest hurdles to overcome when it comes to our childrens’ use of the Internet and protecting them from information they likely are not yet able to handle.
False Information
The lack of supervision and the freedom of the digital age allows just about anyone to say just about anything they want online. While this is obviously a positive attribute of the Internet in many ways, it also allows people with negative, racist, and deragatory viewpoints to post and share their opinions online. The trick then, is educating both ourselves and our children on how to recgnize and point out false information.
Hackers & Crackers
Web offenders (often times referred to as “hackers” or “crackers”) are known to roam the Web and break into other people’s computers – whether to steal important financial information or to leak vital and embarrasing information to the press. Sometimes these hackers look to target unsuspeting web users by luring them into “a trap” and coming away with valuable and/or harmful information.
Viruses & Worms
If your computer has ever gone amuck and suddenly stopped working, it may have been caused by a worm or a virus. Worms and viruses are computer “bugs” that spread from one computer to the next and are most often times transmitted through e-mails sent from unfamiliar senders or by surfing on unsecured websites, which then leak the virus to your computer where it spreads and destroys your software or hardware.
Sexual Abuse, Pedophelia & Love On The Internet
Even more scary than hackers and worms is the thought that young children could be targeted online by pediphiles and sexual deviants. Romantic relationships can be found on the Internet, but in the case of young children, their romantic interests online are often times much older than they are. And in many cases, these web-based relationships quickly move from the digital world to the physical world, when things can then get much more dangerous.
Intimidation, Annoyance & Harrasment
Online bullying is also a big issue. When a child is intimidated, annoyed or harrased online it can have a long lasting negative impact on the life and well-being of that child. Not to mention that the records of the online harrassment are left on the Internet for the world to see for an indefinite period of time, unless of course, considerable work is done to remove such violations.
Legal, Financial & Privacy Violation
Keeping information safe is also of grave concern. Passwords, financial data, family secrets and more can all be leaked through the Internet. Many fear that a child’s use of the Internet could result in substantial losses in private information.
Drugs, Alchohol & Explosives
Again, the lack of supervision many children have when surfing the Internet makes many adults fear the the possible encouragement a child may receive in regards to consuming illegal drugs or alchohol. In addition, some fear the lack of supervision will result in children seeking out illegal information, such as “how to make explosives” or other dangerous items.
Online Gambling
The recent surge of online gambling sites has also presented a danger for many youth trying to find their way online. With more and more gambling sites popping up, it’s no wonder adults are expressing concern. Many fear that the progression from harmless video games to online gambing is just too simple, and therefore needs to be more closely regulated.
Internet Addiction
And finally, some even fear that the continued use of the Internet will become so inticing for some children that they actually become addicted to the computer. I relate with this one, because I often times find it difficult to go without checking my email or reading my favorite websites for a few days, but online addiction is a real concern for many parents and school authorities.
As you can see, there are a number of things to be afraid of when it comes to children and the Internet. Some of the forementioned fears are simply that – things to be afraid of. While others are legitimate concerns that we need to tackled if we are ever to get the Internet and social media technologies into our classrooms.
What other fears and dangers can you think of when it comes to children and the Internet? Are there any I missed? Are there any dangers you see potentially becoming a threat in the future? Let me know my leaving a comment below.
