The internet revolution has opened up a whole new world on our computer screens. However, innocent children are free to roam areas frequented by offensive and abusive people. Alarming cases of children viewing obscene material and making contact with people who are free to prey on their innocence via the internet are now emerging from around the world.
Equally worrying are signs that the measures parents rely on to filter out offensive material on the internet don't always work effectively.
I think that parents must be as involved as possible. They must discuss with their children about what they have seen and who they have contact with online. The problem is that people can pretend to be whoever they like to strike up a relationship online. A child may feel the person is no longer a stranger because they have had contact with them for months on the internet. We all warn them about strangers on the street, but at least there the child knows the age and gender of the person.
Do you agree with the following suggestions ?
- Tell your children about the risks of talking to strangers on the internet.
- Don't allow kids to pass personal information to others online.
- It's a good idea to allow internet access only when and where you are around.
- Let them know the golden rule- never arrange any kind of meeting with someone you feel you know through the internet.
- Make sure you know who they are talking to over the internet -show an active interest.
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