Internet safety

Opinion

October 19, 2009

Parents, children must be vigilant of dangers

Anonymous The Register-Herald Mon Oct 19, 2009, 09:34 PM EDT

Just as a parent shouldn’t let a young one venture by him or herself to the park, a parent shouldn’t let a teenager’s online adventures go unchecked.

The Internet has its benefits. It’s a great research tool, and as far as social networking is concerned, it can’t be beat. But it has its dangers as well.

According to author Rob Nickel, who was speaking in Raleigh County schools last week, the Internet is a favorite haunt for pedophiles. Boys are promised a way to make money. Girls are lured with promises of friendship and romance.

Even scarier, Nickel said, some of these predators know enough about computers to infect their victims’ systems, giving themselves access to victims’ Web cams, e-mail, online profiles and personal Web sites.

Update your Facebook status to indicate you’re going on vacation, and your house may be robbed. Blog about your parents not understanding you, and you’re likely to find a predator’s shoulder to lean on.

Parents must be vigilant, but it’s not up to only them. Teens must be responsible and smart. They should never meet someone they’ve met online unless their parents accompany them. And they should never be afraid to report suspicious computer behavior to their parents and the police. And if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Students can protect themselves by talking to their parents about what they’re doing online, setting their Facebook privacy settings to where only friends can view their profiles and being selective about their online “friends.”

Parents can protect children by keeping computers out of the kids’ bedrooms, maintaining open communication with kids and regularly checking up on their child’s online friends.

Raleigh County students are fortunate to have heard from Nickel, who is also a former detective. Let’s hope they listened.

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