Bruce Mandelblit
Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2002

During this holiday gift-giving season, many Americans have purchased a home computer for their children. Just as many kids of yesteryear were glued to the television, the children of the millennium are transfixed by the Internet.

A 2001 Internet Safety Study by the Office of Justice and Delinquency Prevention concluded that an incredible 24 million children use the Internet on a weekly basis, and that within the next five years, that number will jump to an astounding 50 million kids!

The study went on to point out that annually, 19 percent of young Internet users received unwanted sexual solicitations and 25 percent received unwanted exposure to sexual material.

Added to that mix, it is a sad fact that many children are online with only limited, or even no, adult supervision. Suffice it to say that the blending of millions of children using the Internet with limited or no adult supervision can be a very dangerous, and in some cases deadly, combination.

What makes this issue even more complex is that kids are not limited to online access just at home. In fact, a Federal Trade Commission report revealed that millions of children also have Internet access from schools and libraries.

It is common to describe the Internet as a "virtual world," but tragically, there are real criminals and child predators lurking and prowling the World Wide Web looking to find and snare their next innocent child victim.

So, what can you really do to help make a child's online visit safer? Here are some suggestions from the Maricopa County Attorney's Office Web site:

1. Never give out information like your home address, school name, age or telephone number in a public message such as those found in chat rooms and on bulletin boards.

   A Quick Security Tip: Consider using a pseudonym or unlisting your child's name if your service allows it.

2. Get to know the services your child uses. If you don't know how to log on, get your child to show you. Find out what information the services offer and whether there are ways to block out objectionable material.

3. Consider buying blocking/monitoring software, which can be purchased for $20-$50 at retail stores. Blocking software not only blocks objectionable sites but also can control the times of day your child can get online and keeps a record of the sites visited and the information exchanged.

4. Monitor not only your younger children's Internet practices but also your teen's.

   A Quick Security Tip: Teenagers are more likely to get into trouble online than younger kids.

5. Never allow a child to arrange a face-to-face meeting with another computer user without your permission.

   A Quick Security Tip: If a meeting is arranged, make the first one in a public area, and be sure to accompany your child.

6. Never respond to messages or bulletin board items that are suggestive, obscene, belligerent, threatening or make you feel uncomfortable.

   A Quick Security Tip: Parents, encourage your children to tell you if they encounter such messages, and forward such messages to your service provider or your local police or sheriff's department, and ask for their assistance. If the offensive message arrives via e-mail, print out a copy with "All Header Information." Your service provider can tell you how to do this.

7. Should you become aware of the transmission, use or viewing of child pornography, immediately contact your local police or sheriff's department.

8. Remember that people online may not be who they say they are. For instance, because there is no face-to-face contact, someone who claims to be a 12-year-old girl could really be a 40-year-old man.

9. Remember that everything you read online may not be true. Any offer that sounds too good to be true probably is.

   A Quick Security Tip: Be careful of offers that involve a face-to-face meeting or having someone visit your house.

10. Set reasonable rules and guidelines for computer use for your children. Discuss these rules and post them near the computer as a reminder. Monitor their compliance, especially when it comes to the amount of time spent on the computer.

    A Quick Security Tip: Excessive use of online services, especially at night, may be an indication of a problem.

11. Consider "surfing the net" a family activity. Keep the computer in the family room rather than a child's bedroom. Get to know your child's online friends just as you would their other friends.

A Final Thought: The World Wide Web is a powerful and wonderful resource for all of us, including children. However, it is vital that kids learn to use the Internet in a safe and proper manner. Only with appropriate adult supervision and communication can children have the strong foundation for a safer and more secure online journey.

I would also like to take this opportunity to wish the many worldwide readers of this column a joyous holiday season and a healthy new year!

The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, good will to men.
           – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Copyright 2002 by Bruce Mandelblit

"Staying Safe" with Bruce Mandelblit is a regular column for the readers of NewsMax.com and NewsMax.com magazine.

Bruce welcomes your security, safety and crime prevention questions. He will answer questions of general interest in his column. Bruce's e-mail address is CrimePrevention123@yahoo.com.

Bruce is a nationally known security specialist, as well as a highly decorated reserve Law Enforcement Officer.

Bruce was recently commissioned as a Kentucky Colonel - the state's highest honor - by Gov. Paul E. Patton for his public service.

This column is provided for general information purposes only. Please check with your local law enforcement agency and legal professional for information specific to you and your jurisdiction.

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