Safe Sites - Community Resource Centre

Transcription

Safe Sites
Community Resource Centre (Killaloe) Inc.
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Use Kid-Friendly Search Engines, Directories and
Portals
Kid-friendly Search Engines, Directories and Portals
You can find good sites and specific online content for your kids through search
engines, directories and portals on the Web. Search engines offer the widest choice of
information; directories focus more on specific topics, while portals tailor information
by age and interests and usually provide a range of other services.
Search engines and directories
A search engine, such as "Google," is a site on the Internet that searchers Web pages
based on their titles, key words or full text. Directories, such as "Yahoo!" are similar to
catalogues, where sites are reviewed, selected and then categorized by age and interests
and usually provide a range of other services. Many search engines and directories
focus on kid-friendly information or filter out sites that are inappropriate for kids. Here
is a list of some of the best on the Web.
• Yahooligans!
http://yahooligans.yahoo.com/
Akids' version of Yahoo!, this commercial directory only links to safe and
appropriate kids' sites.
• DibDabDoo
http://www.dibdabdoo.com
A non-commercial, fast search engine that only looks for adult-reviewed sites
safe for children and teens. The site currently has about 1 million links in its
database.
• Ask Jeeves for kids
http://www.ajkids.com/
A unique commercial search engine that allows kids to search by using questions
as well as key words.
• Awesome Library
http://www.awesomelibrary.org/
This non-commercial directory included more than 20,000 sites reviewed by
educators. It has a translation service that lets visitors browse in several different
languages
• Educational Software Directory
http://www.educational-software-directory.net/
In this directory, volunteers have reviewed and organized more than 23,000 sites
into 14 categories.
• Great Web Sites for Kids
http://www.ala.org/Content/NavigationMenu/ALSC/
Great_Web_Sites_for_Kids/Great_Web_Sites_for_Kids.htm
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•
•
This American Library Association (ALA) directory includes links to online
resources for fun and learning -- all reviewed and organized by children's
librarians.
KidsClick!
http://sunsite.berkeley.edu/KidsClick!/
This non commercial directory lists more than 5000 Web sites hand-picked by
librarians.
Canadian Kids Page
http://www.canadiankids.net/ck/default.jsp
Through this directory users can search hundreds of sites - particularly Canadian
ones - by age and topic.
Kid-friendly search engines and directories are not foolproof and offer no guarantee
that inappropriate or offensive content will not crop up during a search. They are also
not responsible for where your may end up once you leave their site and start moving
through other Web pages.
Search engines with parental filters
Many of the major search engines now offer parental filtering options that help prevent
inappropriate sites from appearing in a search.
Some of the best filtered search engines are:
•
•
•
•
•
Sympatico
http://www.sympatico.ca
Click on the Advanced Search link. Scroll down until you see the filtering option
and click on enable.
Google
http://www.google.ca/
Click "Preferences" to the right of the search box, then scroll down and choose a
level for "SafeSearch Filtering" - strict or moderate.
AltaVista
http://ca.altavista.com
Click on "Settings" and then look for the "Family Filter" link.
Alltheweb
http://www.alltheweb.com/
The Alltheweb filter is enabled automatically. To turn off the filtering, see
"Customize Preferences."
WiseNut
http://www.wisenut.com/
Click "Set Preferences" under the search box. Turn on "WiseWatch" at the bottom
of the page to enable filtering.
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•
Lycos
http://www.lycos.ca/
Click on "Advanced Search" below the search box. Scroll down to "Adult Filter"
to select your filtering level.
Tips for using search engines with parental filters
Filtering options on search engines are not foolproof and often fail to block sites with
objectionable content, while blocking good sites. Check the criteria the search engine
uses to filter information and test the filtering options on several sites to decide which
one is best for your family.
Portals
A portal is often the first place people see when they go online. It is their main "point of
entry" (hence "portal") to the Web. Typically, a portal site has a directory of Web site
sites, a search engine, or both. Many portals offer e-mail, chat rooms, and other services.
Kids portals provide children with a safe and entertaining access point to the Net. Some
of the features offered by these sites include games, filtered search engines, monitored
chat rooms, safe email, and the opportunity to create and display their Web projects and
pages.
Examples of kid-friendly portals are:
• Headbone Zone
http://www.headbone.com/
• Zeeks
http://www.zeeks.com/
• MSN Kidz
http://kids.msn.com/kidz/default.aspx
• Lycos Zone
http://lycoszone.lycos.com
(http://www.bewebaware.ca/english/KidFriendlySearchEngines.aspx)
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Find Safe Email and Chat Sites for Kids
Safe email and chat sites for kids
There are many kids' Web sites that have monitored chat rooms and safe, free email
included in their features:
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KidsCom
http://www.kidscom.com
KidsCom staff monitors chat on this site. Kids can also use its E-Pal service to
link up with other kids around the world.
SurfMonkey
http://www.surfmonkey.com/
A kid-friendly browser as well as a Web site, Surf Monkey offers secure e-mail
accounts.
Headbone.com
http://www.headbonezone.com/
Headbone Zone offers chat rooms with adult monitors who screen the
conversations. The site also has e-mail and a safe search function.
Kidzworld
http://www.kidzworld.com/
Kidzworld has chat rooms for kids and teens that are moderated by real people.
A Girl's World
http://www.agirlsworld.com/
For girls only, this site offers an e-pal service and chat rooms that require a
parent's permission to join.
Educational sites:
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ePals
http://www.epals.com/
ePALS offers an e-mail service that brings together students and teachers in 191
countries to foster cross-cultural learning.
Animal Diaries
http://www.tesan.vuurwerk.nl/diaries/
This site about animals links children in different schools through chat rooms.
Environment Online (ENO)
http://eno2000.joensuu.fi/html/default.html
ENO is a global virtual school for environmental awareness. Schools from
around the world join in moderated chats to discuss environmental issues in
their countries.
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Parent Tips
While monitored chat rooms are a much safer alternative to the "wild west"
environment of unmonitored areas, keep in mind there is nothing to stop an adult from
joining in and pretending to be a child. In many cases, monitors cannot see "private"
conversations, so make sure your child always stays in the "public" area of a chat room.
(http://www.bewebaware.ca/english/SafeSites.aspx)
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Find Kid-Friendly Sites
Great sites for kids
Finding good Internet sites for your kids can be a challenge. There are lots of wonderful
sites out there, but it can take hours of sorting through junk to find the jewels. This
listing of great sites for elementary school children (K-8), will help get you started.
Create a safe online environment for your kids by adding to favorites the great sites you
find. Supervise your kids' Internet surfing closely because Web addresses change
frequently, and as kids click from one site to another, there is no guarantee they will
remain in safe territory.
Star Fall
www.starfall.com
Where children have fun learning to read!
TVO Kids
http://www.tvokids.com
The award-winning TVO Kids Web site features educational activities and games.
NFB for Kids
http://nfbkids.ca/kids/index.html
National Film Board of Canada has activities for all ages on their kids' site, including
pre-schoolers.
National Library of Canada, Kids' Page
http://www.nlc-bnc.ca/kids/index-e.html
A quirky mix of Canadiana and kids games, quizzes, award winning books and
homework help.
Global Story Train
http://storytrain.kids-space.org/info/about.html
Story train is a collaborative story project in which children from all nations work
together in writing and illustrating communal stories.
Zoom
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/zoom
This PBS site is primarily aimed at a young audience, but it also has lots of activities for
parents and educators.
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CBC4Kids
http://www.cbc.ca/kids/main.html
The CBC kids' site has lots of fun and interactive activities. The site is divided into three
sections; Preschool, Afterschool and Teens.
Don't Buy It!
http://pbskids.org/dontbuyit/
This site teaches kids to be smart about advertising and marketing. Visit the site with
your kids and go through some of the interactive activities together.
Zillions
http://www.zillions.org/
A kids' e-zine from Consumer Reports. The Zillions site offers kid reviews of current
products, and tips on trends and fads.
Matmice
http://www.matmice.com/
Do your kids want to create their own Internet home page? Matmice, produced by three
young sisters from Australia, provides a place for children to create their own Web
pages, and over 50,000 kids have done so.
BrainPOP
http://www.brainpop.com/
A unique site that uses animated flash movies to teach kids about math, English,
science, health, technology and social studies.
National Geographic for Kids
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/kids/index.html
Kids will want to visit this site from the folks at National Geographic for the games as
well as for the homework help.
(http://www.bewebaware.ca/english/GreatSitesForKids.aspx)
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Safe Sites
For Teens
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Search Engines for Teens
Pandia
http://www.pandia.com/kids/
Most of the search engines made
for kids and teens are not really
search engines, but search
directories. Kids search
directories are collections of
Web sites made especially for
children and teenagers.
School Homework Helpers
http://www.homestead.com/caseyan
dtrinaspage/HomeWork.html
Provides links to other websites that
help teens with homework problems.
Peakaboo
http://www.peakaboo.net/
Family Friendly Search Engine. Ethics and
Family Aware.
Especially for Teens
http://www.mpl.on.ca/teens.html
Specifically for older teens.
Family Friendly Search
http://www.familyfriendl
ysearch.com/
You'll Search: Yahooligans,
AOL Kids, Kids Click &
Saluki Search with just one
click!
Teens Choice
http://www.clickets.com/teenschoice.asp
Top-ranked teen choice websites.
SYXY Guide
http://www.syxy.com/guideweb/?browse=/
Kids_and_Teens/Teen_Life/Directories/
Atomic Teen
http://www.atomicteen.com/
Teens Research Resources
http://teens.carr.org/research.asp?Category
=Search&print=print
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Web Sites For Teens
Hollywood.com
www.hollywood.com
A teen site that dishes about
Hollywood stars, movies, etc.
Billboard.com
http://www.billboard.com/b
b/index.jsp
A site for music lovers.
Girls Go Tech
http://www.girlsgotech.com/
No matter where you live or what
language you speak, math, science and
technology play an important part in your
everyday life. Take a look around, and
you'll start to notice that math, science
and technology are everywhere!
Teen Central
http://teencentral.net/
Welcome to Teen Central, the
place to get teen help for teen
problems. This web site is for
teens and by teens.
Teen Scene
http://www.teen-scene.com/
Provides teens a way to keep
in touch with what's going on
around the world with other
teens.
Nickelodeon
http://www.nick.com/index_low/inde
x.jhtml
Best Site for Teens
http://www.homestead.com/cas
eyandtrinaspage/
Provides links to many teenoriented web sites.
eFrends.com
http://www.efrendz.com/
A place to make friends and
pen pals around the world.
Friends Circles
http://www.friendcircles.com/index.htm
You can easily build a Circle of
Friends network in the thousands
within just a few weeks! Includes a
space to create a personal homepage!
Teen Twist
http://teenzone1.tripod.com/main.
html
Teen Twist features pictures of
bands, singers, TV shows, and
celebrities. You can get a cyber pal
on my cyber pals program. If you
need advice Teen Twist is the place
to get it. You can also play a lot of
cool games! You can vote in the
voting booths or sign my
guestbook.
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Email for Teens
My Own Email
Myownemail.com
This is a fun email service.
You get to choose from
over 200 personalized
domains, such as @yadayada.com,
@ilovechocolate.com, etc.
It allows teens the creative
freedom of choosing a fun
email address.
Yahoo! Mail
Mail.yahoo.com
Get a free Yahoo! Mail account –
it's a breeze to stay connected and
manage your busy life.
1GB of email storage
Keep more of what's important to
you
Powerful spam protection
Read only the mail you really want
Get your mail anywhere
All you need is a web connection
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Mail.com
Mail.com
Free web-based email
service with free
forwarding.
Many interesting email
addresses to choose from.
Rock.com
Rock.com
This site is great for
teens who love music.
They get to choose a
name with the domain
ending in @rock.com.
The site is music
oriented.
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Hotmail.com
Hotmail.com
Free web-based e-mail. 2MB email storage, signatures,
stationery, HTML compatible.
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Chat Rooms and Instant Messengers for Teens
Chat Rooms
http://www.teenspot.com/
Offers teen chat rooms, message
boards, email, music, and real life blogs.
http://www.webarrow.net/c
hatindex/teens.php
One of the best teen chats out.
321 teen chat has a large teenage
chat community.
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http://www.chatfamily.com/
provides a family-oriented chat
environment, staffed by trained
administrators. Hey Teens! You
have found the best free teen
chat rooms on the internet to
talk with other teens. Chat
Family has a lot of teens that
come here to chat, we have
the cleanest teen chat rooms
around. Join our free teen
chat rooms and meet new
teen friends around the world!
http://www.teentoday.co.uk/
Fully moderated, safe and
secure, Teen Today’s teen chat
room is the UK's largest teen
chat room.
Hundreds of chatters!
Fully moderated, safe and
secure, Teen Today’s teen chat
room is the UK's largest teen
chat room.
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http://www.funpeeps.com/
At the moment we have 3 main
chat rooms and a bunch of
subrooms. The 3 main rooms
are "the moderated", the "partly
moderated (unmediated)" and
the "cam chat" room.
http://www.canadiancontent.net/dir/Top/Kids_and_Teens/Computers/Chats_and_
Forums/Teens/
A listing of the best Teen Chat
Rooms found on the internet
today. All care is taken
to select the most safe and clean
teen chat rooms. However,
caution must be taken.
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Instant Messaging
http://messenger.msn.com/
With MSN Messenger you can chat
online via text, voice or even video
conversation - in real time - with
your friends, family or colleagues.
It's faster than e-mail, a great choice
for conversations and the perfect
alternative when you can't be there
in person. And, it's FREE!
ICQ
Welcome to ICQ, the largest multi
lingual community on the Web!
Download ICQ, meet new friends,
find old pals and get together with
people around the world!
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Protecting Your Child
This section of the manual is designed to provide parents with information
on how to protect their children from Internet predators. There are two
sections: young children and teens.
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Protecting your Young Child
Steps to take to safeguard your young child:
Step 1: Set Basic Rules
Decide: how long your young child can be online, what sites they can visit or
what types of activities they can engage in;
Computer location: put the computer in a family room such as the den or the
kitchen. It’s recommended that you don’t put the computer in your child’s
bedroom so that you have a better awareness of their activities;
Webcam/Digital Camera Location: Monitor the location of webcams and digital
cameras in the home. Make sure access is supervised.
Limit time allotted on the computer: watch to see if your child is withdrawn
from family. Excessive computer usage may indicate a problem. Watch for signs
of behaviour change such as withdrawal from conversations regarding Internet
activities, attempts to be secretive, noticeable signs of embarrassment when
asked certain questions about activities, and the apparent use of language
uncharacteristic of the child’s age group.
Block access to chat rooms or accompany your child when visiting a chat room:
be sure to have child-friendly chat room sites available for your child if they are
interested in chatting;
Instruct your children to never leave the chat room’s public area: Many chat
rooms offer unmonitored private areas that predators can talk to children
inappropriately without being kicked out of the chat room;
Instruct your children not to download images from an unknown source:
These images could be sexually explicit;
Instruct your child: to tell you if an offensive image is accidentally downloaded
so you can delete it before others see it. Let them know you are not mad at them
and realize it was an accident.
Have your children sign a family online agreement: Post the agreement by the
computer to remind them to protect their privacy on the Internet (you can find
one at the end of this section);
Instruct your children to never: arrange a face-to-face meeting with someone
they met online, upload (post) pictures of themselves onto the Internet or online
service to people they do not personally know and that whatever they are told
online may or may not be true;
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Remind your kids to behave online as they would offline: Explain to them that
they should never write anything in an email that they would not want the
world (or you) to read;
Encourage them to tell you if anyone is pressing for personal information: this
is not a normal behaviour on the internet or in offline life;
Tell your children to never respond to instant messaging or emails from
strangers: For places outside your supervision-public library, school, or friends’
homes- find out what computer safeguards are used.
Step 2: Talk to your children
Emphasize trust: teach them that not everyone can be trusted and things like
age, addresses, and phone numbers should not be given out;
Encourage questioning: many things online are not as they seem and this
anonymous world can be full of lies and manipulation. Motivate your kids to
doubt and scrutinize things online;
Keep things in perspective: remind your kids that although the Internet has
plenty of dangers lurking, there is plenty of useful and helpful information out
there for them;
Be open with your kids and encourage them to come to you if they encounter a
problem: Your first response should not be to blame them or take away their
Internet privileges. Work with them to help them avoid problems in the future –
how you respond will determine whether they confide in you the next time they
have a problem and how they learn to deal with problems on their own;
Talk to your children about sexual predators and potential online dangers: You
don’t need to be graphic when discussing the issue, but informing your children
of the dangers allows them to act more responsibly and identify if they run into a
problem;
Question activities involving the scanning and sending of photographs:
Particularly if it is of the child;
Teach your children: talking to a stranger on the Internet is no different than
talking to a stranger on the street.
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Step 3: Learn about computers
Learn about computers: take a computer or Internet course and then discuss
with your children;
Show and tell: have kids show you what they enjoy doing early on and discuss
their Internet experiences with them (start this young so it continues when they
get older). Make this one area where you get to be the student and your child
gets to be the teacher;
Learn how to access ISP (Internet Service Provider) home page: this allows you
to determine the number of computer hours used each month;
Watch for computer files ending in: .GIF, .JPG, .JPEG, .MPG, .MOV, .BMP, .TIF,
.PCX, DL or GL as these contain photographs or movie images which could
contain pornography or violence;
Obtain a software-filtering package: this will allow you to block access to
Internet sites and email messages that you deem inappropriate. This software
can also log all of your child’s activity on the Internet so you can review it later.
Remember, this software is not foolproof and cannot take the place of parental
involvement or supervision. If you do get filtering software, explain to your
children the reason for it so they understand that it is there to protect them;
Help them pick a screen name (username): Make sure the username is genderneutral and does not contain sexually suggestive words or reveal personal
information;
Check diskettes, CDs, and USB storage systems: Check these out for clues of
activities like pornography and other obscene materials periodically;
Teach your child the responsible use of resources online: there is much more to
the online experience than chat rooms;
Teach your children how to get out of websites quickly: Teach them to
immediately get out of a website that has offensive or inappropriate material on
it;
Get to know your child’s online friends: Treat these friends as you would
offline friends;
Get to know: chat rooms and related slang. Ask your child to explain it to you.
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Step 4: Be Aware
Monitor your phone bill: Pay attention to phone numbers you do not recognize.
Ask your child about these phone numbers;
Monitor credit card usage: Be sure your child is not accessing a non-accessible
paid site using your credit card;
Pay attention to your child’s behaviour: Are they quickly closing the computer
screen when you pass by? Are they giving up their nights and weekends to be on
the computer? Are they becoming introverted and not wanting to spend time
with family and friends? Are they getting phone calls from people you don’t
know?;
If you have a website: Avoid putting your children’s pictures on it;
Contact police: if you your child receives pornography, has been sexually
solicited or has received sexually explicit images from an adult;
If all precautions fail and your kids do meet an online predator, do not blame
them: The offender always bears full responsibility.
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Family Internet Safety Contract
Young Child's Pledge
I will not give anyone or any website on the Internet my name, address, telephone
number, password, my parents' names, the name of any club or team I'm involved in, or
the name of my school without my parents' permission. I will keep this rule when I am
online, including chat rooms, instant messages, email, websites, entering contests, and
registering for online clubs.
I will never fill out questionnaires or any forms online without Mom and/or Dad's
permission.
I will never tell anyone online where I will be or what I will be doing without Mom
and/or Dad's permission.
I will not enter a chat room.
I will not meet in person anyone that I've met online unless my parent has agreed and
will go with me to meet with them in a public place.
I will only use instant messaging with people on my buddy list that my parents have
approved.
I will treat others online as I would have them treat me. I will never send out mean or
threatening messages nor will I respond to any such messages that are sent to me.
I will not open or accept e-mails, enclosures, links, URL's or other information from
people I do not know.
I will report to my parents any email, chat room conversations, instant messages or
websites that make me feel uncomfortable like X-rated e-mail, images or files. It is not
my fault if I see something bad accidentally. If I do see something inappropriate, I will
log off or turn off my computer. I will then tell my parents what happened as soon as
possible.
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I will not go online over (the amount of time) per week, as set by my parents.
I will never go into a new online area that is going to cost additional money without
first getting Mom and/or Dad's permission.
I will never buy or order products online or give out any credit card information online
without Mom and/or Dad's permission.
I understand that some people online try to befriend kids who aren't getting along with
their parents or are having a hard time in other areas of their lives.
I understand that private family matters should not be discussed online. Instead, I
should talk about them with a trusted adult.
I understand that my parents may supervise my time online and may use a filtering
service. This is because they love me and want to ensure my safety!
I will not go online at a friend's house without my parent's permission.
I will not send pictures of myself or others to friends or family members without
checking with my parents first.
I understand that Internet use is a privilege, not a right. I will follow my family's
Internet safety contract in my home and when I am online outside of my own home.
Child's Signature
Date
Parent’s Signature
Date
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Questions to Ask Your
Internet Service Provider (ISP)
http://www.protectkids.com/tools/ispques.htm
Try to imagine your child going to the park in your neighbourhood and being
approached by a pedophile, who has a way of knowing exactly when your son or
daughter is playing there. Now imagine that this pedophile has invited his friends to
the park to meet your child. This is the type of encounter that may take place online.
Depending on your Internet Service Provider, your child's screen name may be found in
a member listing or added to a list that announces your child's arrival online, and
anyone can send your child private messages-even if your child has never entered a
chat room.
You have the power to protect your child from such online activity. The following is a
list of questions that you can address with your ISP:
Do you have online profiles? Do you have a member directory? How can a parent keep
a screen name or an account name unlisted?
Do you have chat rooms? Are there specific chat rooms for minors? Are they
monitored? Is there a mechanism in place to block chat rooms?
Do you have some sort of private/instant message system? How do users block
incoming private messages? Can users block only some, or is it all or nothing? Can my
child change the list of those who I have approved to IM my child?
Do you have an option (like a posted list or buddy list) that allows people online to see
if others are online? Does it have a blocking system?
Do you have a way to block e-mail from individual accounts or from certain addresses
or types of sites? What about reporting unwanted email?
What other parental controls or protections for minors do you have available?
How do users report suspicious online activity?
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Protecting your Teen
Steps to take to safeguard your teen:
Step 1: Set Basic Rules
Decide: how long your teens can be online, what sites they can visit or what
types of activities they can engage in;
Computer location: put the computer in a family room such as the den or the
kitchen. It’s recommended that you don’t put the computer in your teen’s
bedroom so that you have a better awareness of their activities;
Webcams and Digital cameras: Monitor the location of webcams and digital
cameras in the home. Make sure access is supervised and usage rules
understood.
Limit time allotted on the computer: watch to see if your teen is withdrawn
from family. Excessive computer usage may indicate a problem. Watch for signs
of behaviour change such as withdrawal from conversations regarding Internet
activities, attempts to be secretive, noticeable signs of embarrassment when
asked certain questions about activities, and the apparent use of language
uncharacteristic of the teen.
Block access to chat rooms or accompany your teen when visiting a chat room:
be sure to have teen-friendly chat room sites available for your teen if they are
interested in chatting;
Instruct your teenager to never leave the chat room’s public area: Many chat
rooms offer unmonitored private areas that predators can talk to teens
inappropriately without being kicked out of the chat room;
Instruct your teens not to download images from an unknown source: These
images could be sexually explicit;
Instruct your teen: to tell you if an offensive image is accidentally downloaded
so you can delete it before others can see it. Let them know you are not mad at
them and realize it was an accident.
Have your teenagers sign a family online agreement: Post the agreement by the
computer to remind them to protect their privacy on the Internet (you can find
one at the end of this section);
Instruct your teens to never: arrange a face-to-face meeting with someone they
met online, upload (post) pictures of themselves onto the Internet or online
service to people they do not personally know;
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Remind your teens to behave online as they would offline: Explain to them
that they should never write anything in an email that they would not want the
world (or you) to read;
Encourage them to tell you if anyone is pressing for personal information: this
is not a normal behaviour on the internet or in offline life;
Tell your teenagers to never respond to instant messaging or emails from
strangers: For places outside your supervision-public library, school, or friends’
homes- find out what computer safeguards are used.
Step 2: Talk to your teenagers
Emphasize trust: teach them that not everyone can be trusted and things like
age, addresses, and phone numbers should not be given out;
Encourage questioning: many things online are not as they seem and this
anonymous world can be full of lies and manipulation. Motivate your children
to doubt and scrutinize things online;
Keep things in perspective: remind your teens that although the Internet has
plenty of dangers lurking, there is plenty of useful and helpful information out
there for them;
Be open with your teens and encourage them to come to you if they encounter
a problem: Your first response should not be to blame them or take away their
Internet privileges. Work with them to help them avoid problems in the future –
how you respond will determine whether they confide in you the next time they
have a problem and how they learn to deal with problems on their own;
Talk to your teens about sexual predators and potential online dangers: You
don’t need to be graphic when discussing the issue, but informing your
teenagers of the dangers allows them to act more responsibly and identify if they
run into a problem;
Question activities involving the scanning and sending of photographs:
Particularly if it is of your teenager;
Teach your teens: talking to a stranger on the Internet is no different than talking
to a stranger on the street;
If they meet someone they want to date: Remind them that the person online
may not be the same person offline. You could call the parents of the other child
to ensure the authenticity of the other person. If your teen still wants to meet the
other person, insist you take them and meet in a public area. They may resist
you, but remind them it is for their safety.
85
Step 3: Learn about computers
Learn about computers: take a computer or Internet course and then discuss
with your teens;
Show and tell: have your teens show you what they enjoy doing and discuss
their Internet experiences with them. Ask teens to show you what’s cool; make
this one area where you get to be the student and your child gets to be the
teacher;
Learn how to access ISP (Internet Service Provider) home page: this allows you
to determine the number of computer hours used each month;
Watch for computer files ending in: .GIF, .JPG, .JPEG, .MPG, .MOV, .BMP, .TIF,
.PCX, DL or GL as these contain photographs or movie images which could
contain pornography or violence;
Obtain a software-filtering package: this will allow you to block access to
Internet sites and email messages that you deem inappropriate. This software
can also log all of your child’s activity on the Internet so you can review it later.
Remember, this software is not foolproof and cannot take the place of parental
involvement or supervision. If you do get filtering software, explain to your
teens the reason for it so they understand that it is there to protect them;
Help them pick a screen name (username): Make sure the username is genderneutral and does not contain sexually suggestive words or reveal personal
information;
Check diskettes, CDs, and USB storage systems: Check these out for clues of
activities like pornography and other obscene materials periodically;
Teach your teens the responsible use of resources online: there is much more to
the online experience than chat rooms;
Teach your teenagers how to get out of websites quickly: Teach them to
immediately get out of a website that has offensive or inappropriate material on
it;
Get to know your teens online friends: Treat these friends as you would offline
friends;
Get to know: chat rooms and related slang. Ask your teens to explain it to you.
86
Step 4: Be Aware
Monitor your phone bill: Pay attention to phone numbers you do not recognize.
Ask your teen about these phone numbers;
Monitor credit card usage: Be sure your teen is not accessing a non-accessible
paid site using your credit card;
Pay attention to your teen’s behaviour: Are they quickly closing the computer
screen when you pass by? Are they giving up their nights and weekends to be on
the computer? Are they becoming introverted and not wanting to spend time
with family and friends? Are they getting phone calls from people you don’t
know?;
If you have a website: Avoid putting your teen’s pictures on it;
Contact police: if you your child receives pornography, has been sexually
solicited or has received sexually explicit images from an adult;
If all precautions fail and your teens do meet an online predator, do not blame
them: The offender always bears full responsibility.
87
Family Internet Safety Contract
Teenager’s Pledge
I will not give anyone or any website on the Internet my name, address, telephone
number, password, my parents' names, the name of any club or team I'm involved in, or
the name of my school without my parents' permission. I will keep this rule when I am
online, including chat rooms, instant messages, email, websites, entering contests, and
registering for online clubs.
I will never fill out questionnaires or any forms online without Mom and/or Dad's
permission.
I will never tell anyone online where I will be or what I will be doing without Mom
and/or Dad's permission.
I will not enter a non-approved chat room.
I will not meet in person anyone that I've met online unless my parent has agreed and
will go with me to meet with them in a public place.
I will only use instant messaging with people on my buddy list.
I will treat others online as I would have them treat me. I will never send out mean or
threatening messages nor will I respond to any such messages that are sent to me.
I will not open or accept emails, enclosures, links, URL's or other information from
people I do not know.
I will report to my parents any email, chat room conversations, instant messages or
websites that make me feel uncomfortable like X-rated email, images or files. It is not
my fault if I see something bad accidentally. If I do see something inappropriate, I will
exit that site immediately.
I will not go online over (the amount of time) per week, as set by my parents.
88
I will never go into a new online area that is going to cost additional money without
first getting Mom and/or Dad's permission.
I will never buy or order products online or give out any credit card information online
without Mom and/or Dad's permission.
I understand that some people online try to befriend teens who aren't getting along
with their parents or are having a hard time in other areas of their lives.
I understand that private family matters should not be discussed online. Instead, I
should talk about them with a trusted friend/adult.
I understand that my parents may supervise my time online and may use a filtering
service. This is because they love me and want to ensure my safety!
I understand that Internet use is a privilege, not a right. I will follow my family's
Internet safety contract in my home and when I am online outside of my own home.
Teen’s Signature
Date
Parent's Signature
Date
Keep this posted by the computer.
89
Questions to Ask Your
Internet Service Provider (ISP)
http://www.protectkids.com/tools/ispques.htm
Try to imagine your teen going out to meet friends and being approached by a
pedophile, who has a way of knowing exactly when your son or daughter is going to be
there. Now imagine that this pedophile has invited his friends to meet your child. This
is the type of encounter that may take place online. Depending on your Internet Service
Provider, your teen’s screen name may be found in a member listing or added to a list
that announces your teen's arrival online, and anyone can send your teenager private
messages-even if your teen has never entered a chat room.
You have the power to protect your family from such online activity. The
following is a list of questions that you can address with your ISP:
Do you have online profiles? Do you have a member directory? How can a parent keep
a screen name or an account name unlisted?
Do you have chat rooms? Are there specific chat rooms for minors? Are they
monitored? Is there a mechanism in place to block chat rooms?
Do you have some sort of private/instant message system? How do users block
incoming private messages? Can users block only some, or is it all or nothing? Can my
teen change the list of those who I have approved to IM (instant message) my teen?
Do you have an option (like a posted list or buddy list) that allows people online to see
if others are online? Does it have a blocking system?
Do you have a way to block email from individual accounts or from certain addresses
or types of sites? What about reporting unwanted email?
What other parental controls or protections for minors do you have available?
How do users report suspicious online activity?
90
Signs Your Child is at Risk
This section explains some signs to watch for in your child. It has been divided
into Kids and Teens.
91
92
Signs Your Child Could be at Risk
•
Your child spends a great deal of time online: Most children who are victims of
online predators spend a lot of time online, particularly in chat rooms;
•
You find pornography on the family computer: Predators often use pornography
to sexually victimize children – supplying it to open sexual discussions with
potential victims. Predators may use child pornography to convince a child that
adults having sex with children is “normal.” You should be aware that your
child may hide pornographic files on diskettes, especially if other family
members use the computer;
•
Your child receives phone calls from people you don’t know; or makes calls
(sometimes long distance) to numbers you don’t recognize:
Online predators may try to contact young people to engage in
“phone sex,” or to try to set up real-world meeting. If kids hesitate
to give out their number, online predators will provide theirs.
Some even have toll-free 1-800 numbers, so potential victims can
call them without their parents’ knowledge. Others will tell
children to call collect – and then, with Caller ID or Call Display,
they can easily determine the phone number;
•
Your child receives mail, gifts or packages from someone you don’t know: It is
common for offenders to send letters, photographs and gifts to potential victims.
Online predators even send airline tickets to entice a child or teen to meet them;
•
Your child withdraws from family and friends; or quickly turns the computer
monitor off or changes the screen if an adult enters the room: Online predators
work hard to drive wedges between kids and their families, often exaggerating
minor problems at home. Sexually victimized children tend to become
withdrawn and depressed;
•
Your child is using someone else’s online account: Even kids who don’t have
access to the Internet at home may meet a predator online while at a friend’s
house or the library. Predators sometimes provide victims with a computer
account so they can communicate;
93
Other signs you child could be in contact with an online predator:
He or she:
• is obsessed with computer activity
•
has none or only a few friends – seems to spend all his/her spare time on the
computer
•
appears secretive and non-communicative regarding computer net friends
and activities
•
seems unusually preoccupied with chat room communications
•
requests photos to be taken of self and scanned by computer to send to
friends
•
takes photos (appropriate or inappropriate) of self and scans it into the
computer to send to friends
•
changes the style of dress suddenly and uncharacteristically
•
seems to dress to look older, and perhaps more seductive
•
withdraws from sports or other activities previously enjoyed.
94
Signs Your Teen Could be at Risk
•
Your teen spends a great deal of time online: although teens do spend a lot of
time online, too much time spent in front of the computer could be a sign that
they are having an online relationship;
•
Your teen withdraws from family and friends; or quickly turns the computer
monitor off or changes the screen if an adult enters the room: Online predators
work hard to drive wedges between teens and their families, often exaggerating
minor problems at home. Sexually victimized teenagers tend to become
withdrawn and depressed;
•
You find pornography on the family computer: Predators often use pornography
to sexually victimize teens – supplying it to open sexual discussions with
potential victims. Predators may use child pornography to convince a teen that
adults having sex with teenagers is “normal.” You should be aware that your
teen may hide pornographic files on diskettes, especially if other family members
use the computer;
•
Your teen receives phone calls from people you don’t know; or makes calls
(sometimes long distance) to numbers you don’t recognize:
Online predators may try to contact young people to engage in
“phone sex,” or to try to set up real-world meeting. If teens hesitate
to give out their number, online predators will provide theirs.
Some even have toll-free 1-800 numbers, so potential victims can
call them without their parents’ knowledge. Others will tell
teenagers to call collect – and then, with Caller ID or Call Display,
they can easily determine the phone number;
•
Your teen receives mail, gifts or packages from someone you don’t know: It is
common for offenders to send letters, photographs and gifts to potential victims.
Online predators even send airline tickets to entice a teen to meet them;
•
Your teenager is using someone else’s online account: Even kids who don’t
have access to the Internet at home may meet a predator online while at a
friend’s house or the library. Predators sometimes provide victims with a
computer account so they can communicate;
95
Other signs you child could be in contact with an online predator:
He or she:
• is obsessed with computer activity
•
has none or only a few friends – seems to spend all his/her spare time on the
computer
•
appears secretive and non-communicative regarding computer net friends
and activities
•
seems unusually preoccupied with chat room communications
•
changes the style of dress suddenly and uncharacteristically
•
seems to dress to look older, and perhaps more seductive
•
withdraws from sports or other activities previously enjoyed.
96
What Can You Do: Canadian Law
97
98
What Can You Do If a Predator Contacts Your
Child?
Contact Your Local Police
If your child receives sexually explicit images from an online correspondent, or if she or
he is solicited sexually, contact your local police!
Contact Cybertip! Hotline
To report online sexual exploitation of a child (i.e. child pornography, luring, child sex
tourism, child prostitution), please visit Cybertip! Hotline at http://cybertip.ca. Click
on “Report Here”.
Cybertip.ca is Canada’s National Tipline for reporting the online sexual exploitation of
children. It is a centralized web portal for receiving and addressing reports from the
public regarding child pornography, luring, child sex tourism, and children who are
exploited through prostitution. Cybertip.ca also provides the public with information,
referrals and other resources to help Canadians keep their children safe while on the
Internet. (http://cybertip.ca/en/cybertip/)
99
Child Find
If you have information about a missing child, call Child Find at 1-800-387-7962
Don't warn your child, if you expect they are infatuated with the predator: They often
warn the predator, and scare them off. Don't threaten the suspected predator.
Don't shutdown your child's account: Law enforcement needs this information and can
come in and continue the communication posing as your child. Leave this to the
professionals.
100
What Can You Do:
Canadian Law Definitions
Definition of Luring
A person commits the luring offence if they use a computer system to communicate
with someone they believe to be a child in order to facilitate committing an offence
against that child. Luring carries a maximum penalty of 5 years incarceration.
Common lures that are used by child predators:
bribery-gifts- to persuade children to do what they want them to do;
affection-attention-it feels good to the child and he/she does not realize he/she is
being sexually exploited;
threats and weapons- predator will threaten to harm or kill the child or the
child’s family if he/she does not comply with their demands;
ego-fame-predator will use compliments and offers of fame to lure a child and
promises a career in modeling, singing, professional sports, acting, or sports
scholarships;
playmate-predators will persuade their victims to bring friends along to join into
their “game”; and
jobs- young children will be offered money on the spot to perform task, while
adolescents are enticed by the promise of high paying or interesting jobs.
Definition of Child Pornography
Under the Criminal Code, any of the following amount to child pornography (child
abuse) images:
1. a visual representation of a person under the age of 18 engaged in explicit sexual
activity; or 2. a visual representation, the dominant characteristic of which is the
depiction of a sexual organ or the anal region of a person under 18 years of age for a
sexual purpose; or
3. any written material or visual representation that advocates a sexual offence
involving a person under 18 years of age. However, the court is required to find the
person not guilty if the representation or written material has artistic merit or an
educational, scientific, or medical purpose.
Definition of Child Sex-Tourism
Sex tourism or, more specifically, traveling to a foreign country to engage in sexual
activity with a child, has become a well-developed component of the commercial-sexual
exploration of children. It is an offence under the Criminal Code for a Canadian to
engage in this activity. It is an offence for which a person can be tried for upon
returning to Canada. The offender will be treated as if the incident occurred on
Canadian soil, and the penalties would be the same as if they had occurred in Canada.
101
Definition of Child Prostitution
The Criminal Code contains several offences in relation to child prostitution:
1. Soliciting: Purchasing or offering to purchase sexual services from a person
under 18 years of age. The purchase need not be for cash – the sexual services
may be purchased with anything (e.g. drugs, food, the promise of a ride home,
etc);
2. Procuring: Encouraging or forcing a person under 18 years of age to become a
prostitute (selling the sexual services of –holding out for sale- procuring in
section 170 means providing a child for sexual services);
3. Living off Avails (Pimping): Obtaining income by requiring a person under 18
years of age to surrender all or part of the earnings made through prostitution.
The maximum penalty for this offence is 10 years incarceration.
(www.cybertip.ca/en/cybertip/incident_types/)
Bill C-15 (Omnibus Crime Bill)
Bill C-15 was tabled in the House of Commons in March 2001. A portion of this bill is
related to the sexual exploitation of children through the Internet and child sex tourism.
One of the most significant element of this bill is the luring offence, which will carry a
maximum penalty of five years imprisonment.
In April 2001, Ontario became the first provincial government to enact a sex offender
registry. This registry will house information relating to convicted sex offenders
residing in Ontario. Information contained in this registry is only available to law
enforcement.
102
Statistics
Child Luring
103
104
Statistics
Child Luring
Online Sexual Predators
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Internet pedophiles are increasingly adopting counter-intelligence techniques to
protect themselves from being traced (National Criminal Intelligence Service,
8/21/03)
Forty percent of people charged with child pornography also sexually abuse
children, police say. But finding the predators and identifying the victims are
daunting tasks (Reuters, 2003)
One in five children who use computer chatrooms has been approached over
the Internet by pedophiles (Detective Chief Superintendent Keith Akerman,
Telegraph.co.uk)
89% of sexual solicitations were made in either chat rooms or Instant Messages
(Pew Study reported in JAMA, 2001)
13 million youth use Instant Messaging (Pew Study reported in JAMA, 6/01)
1 in 5 received sexual solicitation or approach in last year (Online Victimization,
NCMEC, 2000)
1 in 33 received AGGRESSIVE sexual solicitation (asked to meet, called them via
phone, email, money or gifts). (Online Victimization, NCMEC, June 2000)
25% of youths who received sexual solicitation told a parent (Online
Victimization, NCMEC, June 2000)
1 in 4 kids participate in Real Time Chat (FamilyPC Survey, 2000)
-www.protectkids.com/dangers/stats.htm
Internet Luring
Some statistics found by the U.S. Department of Justice:
• According to a survey conducted by the U.S. Department of Justice, one in five
children are subject to unwanted sexual solicitations online. Many of these
solicitations occur in Internet chat rooms, where predators may assume a false
identity and work for weeks, months or years to make contact in the real world
with their victim.
• 19% of young Internet users received an unwanted sexual solicitation in the past
year.
• 5% of the surveyed youth received a distressing sexual solicitation.
• 3% received an aggressive solicitation involving offline contact or attempts or
requests for offline contact.
• A great majority (77%) of the victims were 14 to 17 years old.
- www.c-a-s-e.net/facts.htm
105
Seduced by Internet predators
•
•
•
1498 children are now targeted by Internet predators every year (July 2000)
only 38 children were targeted in 1995
American studies show that 52% of parents supervise their children only
moderately when they are online, and 20% do not supervise them at all
• Increasingly, American predators are deliberately seeking Canadian victims,
because it’s herder for police to track them across boarders
• In many abduction or near-abduction cases, children had told friends at school
about their plans to run away
• Children in rural areas are as much, if not more at risk: they can be enticed to
big cities by promises of attending sporting events or concerts they couldn’t
see at home
• Many cases of Internet abduction are not solved because the trail has gone cold
by the time the police start their investigation. Abducted children hide evidence
at the insistence of the predator and often tell parents they are going on a
camping trip or a sleep-over.
- www.nsnews.com/issues00/w070300/07020003.html
National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children
Online Victimization: A Report on the Nation’s Youth
• Girls were targeted at almost twice the rate of boys (66% versus 34%), but given
that girls are often thought to be the exclusive targets of sexual solicitation, the
sizeable percentage of boys is important
• Adults were responsible for 24% of sexual solicitations and 34% of the aggressive
solicitations (only 4% were older than 25 years old)
• ¼ of the aggressive episodes came from females
• many of the sexual solicitations appear to be propositions for cybersex – a form
of fantasy sex, which involves interactive chat-room sessions where the
participants describe sexual acts and sometimes disrobe and masturbate
• in 10% of incidents, the perpetrators asked to meet the youth somewhere, in 6%
the youth received regular mail, in 2% a telephone call, in 1% money or gifts
• in 49% of the incidents, the youth did not tell anyone about the episode
106
References
107
108
References
A parent’s guide to Internet safety. U.S. Department of Justice Federal Bureau of
Investigation. Retrieved from www.fbi.gov/publications/pguide /pguidee.htm
A parent’s guide to the online world. Deal.org. Retrieved from
http://www.deal.org/Default ite/index_e.aspx?ArticleID=1170&templateID=24
Are you Web Aware? (2003). Media Awareness Network. Retrieved from
www.media-awareness.ca
Ask Jeeves for kids. Retrieved from http://www.ajkids.com/
Awesome Library. Retrieved from http://www.awesomelibrary.org/
Canadian Kids Page. Retrieved from http://www.canadiankids.net/ck/
default.jsp
Chat Danger (2004). Childnet International. Retrieved from http://www.
chatdanger.com/chat/
Criminal code of Canada: Child pornography and luring of children on the
Internet – Summary (2005). Media Awareness Network. Retrieved from www.mediaawareness.ca
DibDabDoo. Retrieved fromhttp://www.dibdabdoo.com
Educational Software Directory. Retrieved from http://www.educational-softwaredirectory.net/
Great Web Sites for Kids. Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/Content
/NavigationMenu/ALSC/Great_Web_Sites_for_Kids/Great_Web_Sites_for_Kids.htm
109
Highlights of the youth Internet safety survey (2001). Office of Juvenile Justice and
Delinquency Prevention.
Internet and email safety- tips.
Internet safety agreement. Internet 101 Surfing Safely. Retrieved from
www.internet101.ca
Internet safety tips for parents. British Columbia Ministry of Education. Retrieved
from www.bced.gov.bc.ca/pubs.htm
KidsClick!. Retrieved from http://sunsite.berkeley.edu/KidsClick!/
Legislative responses. Sexual Exploitation of Children.
Online predators. Retrieved from www.webaverti.ca/english/
onlinepredators.aspx
Protecting your child (2004). Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Retieved from
www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/mb/internet_e.htm
Protecting yourself and your children.
Reporting child exploitation. National Child Exploitation Coordination Centre.
Safety in cyberspace – Internet luring. Our Missing Children. Retrieved from
www.ourmissingchildren.ca
Teen safety on the information highway (2003). National Centre for Missing and
Exploited Children.
What is Cybertip.ca? Childfind/Cybertip.
Yahooligans! Yahoo. Retrieved from http://yahooligans.yahoo.com/
110

Safe Sites - Community Resource Centre

Transcription

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