Is the internet really dangerous for children?

Question

After reading an article on internet predators at http://www.onlinechildsafety.net I am concerned for the safety of our children when they are using the internet. Just how safe is it?

Answer 1

it is as safe as you make it.

:-) and always will be.

the trick is just to be careful, open and honest with them about what they are doing on it!

:-)

Answer 2

I'm sorry, just how stupid are you? NO!! The Internet is not safe at all! It is a play ground for sick people. Just read what you find at this sight and you can pick up on sick people. There is one who I believe is pedophile and this is only my second day of even seeing this sight and I recognized it yesterday! Please keep your children from chatting and sending emails. If you will look here closely there are many children on this sight who ask for sex and wonder if thy should meet the person who they have been talking to. Children think because they aren't seen they are safe but a real criminal can read between the lines and pose leading questions and find them. DON"T TRUST THE INTERNET!

Answer 3

If you want to learn your child and she\he has between 2.5 and 7 years then the great program is that https://tr.im/MOdQb , Children Learning Reading.
The benefit that Children Learning Reading program  has over a complete term recognition learning class is that it can show it's strategies in a nutshell and enjoyable  slow steps.
With Children Learning Reading program you and your child will have a way to spend enjoyable time together as they learn how to read. No forcing your child to sit through dull ‘check marathons ', the lessons are very small that they are simple to fit in to your day-to-day routine. The entire program consists of 50 classes and the classes are made in a way so it won't subject if you miss a couple of days between them. So your youngster may carry on on the path to examining accomplishment even if “life gets in the way”'.

Answer 4

Depends. You can protect your child from explicit things on the internet with saftey locks, set a ''safe search'' (you can set them on yahoo, google, etc.) pretty much anywhere. Although the internet can be pretty dangerous as times for some, it is a great way to learn and meet other people so I wouldnt keep my child strictly from it. Just be careful and track your childs searches and websites if you alittle worried. Theres nothing wrong with that.

Answer 5

I would not let my child (if I had one) on the net without my supervision!
Here is just some of the dangers::!!::

Exposure to Inappropriate Material
One risk is that a child may be exposed to inappropriate material that is sexual, hateful, violent nature or encourages activities that are dangerous or illegal.
Physical Molestation
Although not very likely, there is a slight risk that, while online, a child might provide information or arrange an encounter that could risk his or her safety or the safety of other family members. In a few cases, pedophiles have used e-mail, bulletin boards and chat areas to gain a child's confidence and then arrange a face-to-face meeting.
Harassment
A child might encounter E-mail, chat or bulletin board messages that are harassing, demeaning, or belligerent. This risk may not be life threatening, but it could affect a child's self esteem and, frankly, it's pretty likely to occur for any child who engages in chat rooms or exchanges messages on bulletin boards.
Legal and Financial
There is also the risk that a child could do something that has negative legal or financial consequences such as giving out a parent’s credit card or doing something that violates another person’s rights. Legal issues aside, children should be taught good "netiquette" and to behave online as they would in public and to avoid being rude, mean or inconsiderate.
Passwords: Children should also be cautioned to never give out their Internet or AOL password to anyone even if the person claims to work for AOL or an Internet service provider. When in doubt, children should ask their parents and parents should know their provider's policy regarding passwords (AOL staff, for example, will never ask a member for their password).

Privacy
Children have a right to privacy. Everything about them: their name, age, what school they go, is their business and the business of their families. No one, including reputable companies, have a right to extract this information from children without first checking with the child's parents.

Drugs, Alcohol, Tobacco and other Dangers
Some web sites and newsgroups contain information that advocates the use of drugs, tobacco or alcohol. It's even possible to find places on the Internet where you can learn to make bombs or obtain weapons. We don't know of any cases where a child has committed an act of violence or used a substance as a result of going online. If that happens, it's most likely related to something else going on in the child's life. Yet, with a rescue as vast and as uncontrolled as the Internet, you're bound to find all sorts of information.

Gambling and Other Inappropriate Behaviors
There are sites that allow people to gamble with real money or just "for fun." In some cases these sites may be operating legally in the jurisdiction where they are physically located but it is generally illegal (and inappropriate) for minors to gamble regardless of where they are. Most online gambling sites require a person to use a credit card or write a check to transfer funds. Speaking of gambling, it's also possible to buy and sell stocks and securities over the Internet If your child has access to your web browser or AOL account and your brokerage password, it is possible that he or she might be able to conduct such a transaction. Keep on eye on this. Either prevent your kid from doing it or watch closely so you can learn something.

Answer 6

i think so, im 20 years old but had some dirty guy add me to his yahoo he was 52 older than my own parents, he tryed to dirty talk with me and i told him that it wasn't me that it was my little sister and that i was only 14 years old and than went into his 360oc to find that all his "friends" where ages between 12-17. He also continued with his talk and aked to cam and saying that ages isn't a barrier.

I think as long as kids are taught to only chat with people they know or to see pics or what not of people that don't know and NEVER give any personal infomation out nor NEVER meet someone from the net they should be safe.

Answer 7

Yes of course it is. If left unsupervised on a live internet connection a minor could run into all sorts of trouble.

On the other hand, supervised and controlled the internet is a fantastic place for learning and culture for kids.

Answer 8

NO!! honey im 13, not that old...you can call me a child if you want. nothing is bad about it. if you want just blok some sites and stuff like that. i have the most guts on this website and i answer every stupid question with anger and confidence. especially questions about sex...i always answer against it. iam very religious. so yes some things are bad, just let them only play games or something and when they get lder put google for their homework and stuff like that. dont be overprtective. my friends dad has cameras pointing out to the street, reads her msn convos, tapes the phone convos and she swears and talks to boys, she doesnt go to camp or to ppls house and she cried when she found out because she never new. so let them go on the internet its really not dangerous so just blok some porn sights and sh!t like that believe me!!

mwa God Bless

bty, im one of those smart ppl but i also have a social life and i use the internet so its ok to let them use it!! and give them hotmail and msn, its really good for their social life! but if you want to set rules, no msn on the weekdays and games but on the weeked they can and they will be smart with friends and they would have enjoyed the world!!

godd luck and dont stress!!

Answer 9

As Safe as the parent makes it! I have a 13 and 11 year old they bang on about having laptop in room or pc to themselfs and the answer is NO NO NO! You play with it where I am or do with out simple as that! Then its please dont check and read my msn convo's mam, and the answer why you got somthing you want to hide!! Now and then I get asked to remove parental controls off them and the answer again NO NO NO! Everything they go on I check you have to its the only way!!

Answer 10

I think it could be really dangerous if parents aren't interested in this what their children doing - using the internet.

Answer 11

On or off the internet the world is dangerous for kids period. I think their innocence and vulnerability sets them up as prey, and if no ones watching them closely there is alway someone lurking to waiting to bait them up with some scemey tactic to lure them to harm.