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Recently, the news has been full of stories about pedophiles trolling "MySpace.com" looking for victims. Glitch Busters has created a small application to allow parents to block access to "MySpace.com." Click the button below to download this simple application.
Cyberspace can be a rewarding experience for your children. Web sites collect a significant amount of personal information from children, such as the child's name, postal and e-mail address, and favorite activities and products. This information can be collected by asking children to register with the site, join a kids' club, enter a contest or complete a questionnaire online.
The personal information collected is used to create customer lists. In some cases, these are sold to list brokers, who, in turn, rent the lists to other advertisers. (Often, this practice is not revealed. Look at a web site's privacy policy for an explanation of how the site handles your personal information.) Sometimes this information is posted on the web site in "guest books," members' profiles, chat rooms or on home pages hosted by a web site. Posting such information may enable others to contact your child, possibly without your knowledge. You wouldn't let personal information about your child be posted on a neighborhood bulletin board; exercise the same caution with electronic bulletin boards.
Children learn to use computers quickly, but because they lack life experience, they can reveal information you might not wish to share. That's one reason children should be supervised when they venture into Cyberspace. Here are some precautions:
- Explore the Internet with your children. It's the best way to see what they see online. There are plenty of kid-friendly sites; help your kids find them, and explain why it's best to be careful not to give out their real name and address in chat rooms, to online pen pals and on bulletin boards.
- Consider using filters that allow you to place certain sites and subjects off limits to your child. These "parent controls" are available through your online service or through special software you can buy. Filters aren't foolproof, but they help. Some ISPs offer filters to control the amount of unsolicited e-mail you receive.
- Teach your children the meaning of privacy and personal — or family — information. Encourage them to post messages only with your permission and supervision.
- Show your child the difference between an advertisement and entertainment. A young child may not realize that an animated or cartoon character may be gathering marketing data or trying to sell something.
