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Internet Safety
Child Safety on the Information Highway
By Lawrence J. Magid
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
Whatever it’s called, millions of people are now going online to exchange electronic mail (E-mail) and instant messages; participate in chat groups; post and read messages in newsgroups, which are sometimes called bulletin boards; “surf” the world wide web; and many other online activities. Children are no exception in fact they are more likely to be online than adults.
Personal computers are no longer the only method used for accessing the Internet. Children can go online from personal computers at home, a friend’s house, in school, a library, club, or cafe. Many game consoles can be connected to the Internet and used for chatting and other online interaction. It is also possible to access the Internet on mobile devices such as cellular telephones and other handheld devices. In other words children don’t have to be in the company of responsible adults to use the Internet.
To get online you can sign up with an Internet Service Provider (ISP), which will provide you with access to web sites and other areas of the Internet. Most people get online by using a modem to connect their computer to a telephone line but an increasing number of families are using high-speed broadband connections such as Direct Subscriber Line (DSL) or cable modems. Most cellular telephones sold today come with a web browser, E-mail, and some form of instant or “short” messaging system (SMS).
Even though ISPs and cellular telephone companies strive to provide their subscribers with an enjoyable, safe, and rewarding online experience, it’s not possible for these companies to monitor everyone who uses their service anymore than a local government can control the behavior of the people within its borders. Once you’re connected to the Internet you’re able to exchange information with people who use other ISPs and online services unless you’re using a service that offers restricted access such as blocking mail from outside the service or from people who aren’t pre-approved by a child’s parent.
There are no censors on the Internet. Anyone in the world — companies, governments, organizations, and individuals — can publish material on the Internet. An ISP links you to these sites, but it can’t control what is on them. It’s up to individuals to make sure that they behave in a way that’s safe and appropriate.
