Safe Internet Alliance

Yesterday’s second Safe Internet expert podcast, hosted by Safe Internet Alliance president Linda Criddle, featured Kim Sanchez of Microsoft and Holly Hawkins of AOL. With summer vacation upon us, Holly and Kim offered online safety suggestions for families, teens and children – advice that can help users safely navigate the Internet during the increased leisure time that summer brings.

Listen to the podcast below and continue for more information and tips.

Safe Internet was particularly struck by a point our experts made, which is that a major obstacle for parents is their concept of “reality vs. virtual reality.”  Parents seem to think that because they don’t know much about the cyberworld, it automatically means they don’t know much about how or what they can do to protect their children in this virtual reality. 

The good news? It’s a myth.  The same rules and safety precautions that you teach your children to use in the real world can be applied to the virtual world.

Example 1: Child Predators vs. Cyber-predators

• Real World Scenario
  A stranger approaches your child and tries to talk to them, give them something, or invite them somewhere.

Parental Solution: Don’t talk to strangers or accept gifts from them or go places with them, and tell your parents about it immediately.

• Virtual World Scenario
  A stranger approaches your child through an email or instant message and tries to talk to them, give them something, or invite them somewhere.

Parental Solution: Don’t respond, accept or engage the sender.  Refuse offers or entreaties from them, and tell your parents about it immediately.

Example 2: Bullying vs. Cyber-bullying

• Real World Scenario
  Suddenly your child is reclusive and avoiding attending school or social activities.

Parental Solution: You wonder if it’s a sign of bullying. You sit your child down and talk to them to try and find out if they are being bullied or feel intimidated.

• Virtual World Scenario
  Suddenly your child is reclusive and avoiding attending school or social activities.

Parental Solution: You wonder if it’s a sign of bullying. You sit your child down and talk to them to try and find out if they are being bullied or feel intimidated.

Example 3: Inappropriate Sexual Behavior vs. Sexting/Cyber-Sex

• Real World Scenario
  Your child wants to buy clothes that are provocative and you worry they may be engaging in inappropriate behavior.

Parental Solution: I pay for your clothes, so you will wear the clothes that I consider appropriate.  You should demonstrate self-respect and engaging in this behavior is not respectful of yourself.

• Virtual World Scenario
  Your child is using their cell phone to “sext” (send explicit picture of themselves) and is engaging in explicit conversations over email or instant message.

Parental Solution: I pay for your cellphone, so you will use it in a way that I consider appropriate. You should demonstrate self-respect and engaging in this behavior is not respectful of yourself.

UPDATE: If you're interested in hearing more check out Grant Gross' article in ComputerWorld, "Parents need to talk to kids about Internet use, experts say"