Controlling child access to the Internet !

Controlling child access to the Internet

Dailymirror

Internet is a very useful resource for children as well as adults to collect information, gain knowledge and connect with other people all around the world. Children are considered to be the most important resource in any country. Children use the Internet to find information for their homework, chat with friends, send/receive emails, play games and many other activities. There are various people connected to the Internet with different intensions. Among them are criminals looking to exploit your innocent children. Unless you supervise your children’s Internet activity they will be vulnerable to such criminals. There are thousands of web sites managed by individuals or groups who sexually exploit children in their services offered through the Internet. Some of them gradually and tactfully approach children by showing them kind attention and even by offering gifts. These individuals use Internet services such as chat and email to collect information about targeted children. First, they might appear to be very helpful and kind individuals to children, but gradually they will lure children to participate in their sinister activities. Some of these criminals may be interested in collecting or trading child pornographic material while others might be pedophiles trying to engage in sexual conversations with children. As a parent you should be aware of your children’s Internet activity. The following are warning signs of your child becoming a victim of online criminals. If you observe any of the following perhaps you should investigate more in to your child’s Internet activity: Your child spends lot of time on-line (connected to Internet) specially at night You find pornography in your child’s computer Your child has used your credit card without informing you Your child is speaking with a foreign stranger over the phone. Your child switch off / change the screen of the monitor when you come to the room Your chilled is using other people’s accounts to connect to the Internet Your child always tries to be alone when using the computer The following tips may help you to analyze your child’s Internet activity further: Try to get a detailed Internet access bill from your Internet Service Provider (ISP) (you can analyze the dates and times of your child’s Internet access) Analyze your child’s computer with the support of knowledgeable person. You may look for hidden images, saved chat sessions, suspicious emails etc. Ask your child if he ever used your credit card online and check whether the answer is consistent with your credit card bill Obtain a detailed telephone bill and check it for unknown numbers (specially overseas) dialed Use CLI (Caller Line Identification) feature to identify the caller Monitor you child’s communications (chats, emails etc) Also as a parent you should be able to minimize the possibility of your child becoming a victim of crimes discussed above by adhering to the following best practices: Keep the computer in a common place in your house which is observable by you at all times. Take special care to monitor the child’s behavior when he is online (connected to the Internet) Educate your children not to chat, send email, or engage in telephone conversations with strangers Educate your children on possible harm that may be caused to the computer by downloading suspicious files or viewing unknown websites Get filtered Internet access from your Internet service provider Educate children on how information they post on the Internet may be misused by others Internet can be a wonderful learning tool for your children if you are aware of their activities. Only irresponsible parents would allow their children to have unrestricted access to the Internet. As part of Cyber Security Week 2008, SLCERT is organizing CSW_2008 Workshop & Conference from 28th to 31st October 2008 at the Hilton Colombo Residencies from 8.00 am – 5.00 pm. For more information please visit www.slcert.gov.lk