Young People Online

In the Get I.T. safe, Children, parents and technology survey 2006, conducted by NCH and Tesco:

81% of parents said they knew what their children were doing at all times or most of the time, but 53% of the 11-16s surveyed said that they were never or hardly ever supervised online;

65% of parents said they were confident they could deny access to specific websites. 46% of the children said they were confident they can get around parental blocks;

26% of parents said they could not check which websites their children had visited and 65% of children said they could clear the internet history without assistance.

These statistics reinforce what we all know: in most cases children know more about computers and mobile phones than their parents. Young people are connected – to the internet and to each other via mobile phones, instant messaging, blogging, online gaming and social networking sites. This brings a whole new dimension of creativity and opportunities, but also risks: risks of exposure to pornography, to individuals who may chat to them inappropriately or try to meet them for sexual activity, and to cyberbullying. Parents, teachers and children need to be internet aware, and understand how to be safe. We hope the following information will help you.

How likely is it that my child will see pornography on the Internet?

The internet has led to greater accessibility to all sorts of information: both good and bad. A 2005 UK research project reported that ‘57% of 9-19 year old daily and weekly users have come into contact with online porn’ – mostly unintentionally. A Norwegian 2006 research project showed that of the 14-18 year olds studied, 96% of the young men had seen pornography and 88.7% of the young women. On average, they first saw pornography when they were 11 years old. The researchers found ‘a correlation … between the use of pornography and the age of first sexual experience, and between the use of pornography and the likelihood of trying sex with multiple partners, which is a common theme in pornographic material’ and that ‘ideals regarding physical attractiveness imposed by pornography frequently colour their ideas of how people’s bodies ought to look – not least their own’.

I’m a parent / adult concerned about internet safety. Where can I go for help?

There are a number of different websites you can go to for information on internet safety.

www.kidsmart.org.uk

information for parents, teachers and young people to get the most out of the Internet and using their mobile phone, whilst staying safe

www.chatdanger.com

special website to answer questions about chat rooms

www.childnet-int.org/kia

Know it all – a multimedia resource designed especially for parents

www.actionforchildren.org.uk

Children’s charity Action for Children (formerly NCH) – information about internet safety

www.thinkuknow.co.uk

Website from the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre – information for parents and children on how to stay safe

www.ccpas.co.uk

Chuches’ Child Protection Advisory Service, providing professional training, resources and support in areas of child proection, especially to the church. Non denominational.

What practical steps should I take?

• We recommend that you look at the websites about internet safety that we have listed above. We also recommend that you:
• Discuss what you believe are appropriate things for your children to use the Internet for and encourage positive use.
• Take an interest in what your child looks at, reads and does on any computer, including those belonging to friends and at school etc.
• Consider moving your family computer to the living room so you can see what your child is doing.
• Install blocking/filtering/accountability software.
• Encourage your children to tell you about any online activities or conversations that make them feel uncomfortable.
• Remind your children not to give out any personal information or meet someone they do not know without you being present.
• Take time to talk to your child about sex, sexual relationships and pornography.

I would like to install some filtering software. What are my options?

Many of the software products that you might use to access the internet have filters built in, espcially for searching. The website www.getnetwise.org has a vast amount of advice and product information about filters, and how to tackle span emails. You can also use the blocking options on your email programme.

The US organisation, the National Coalition for the Protection of Children and Families, has a special website, www.filterreview.com, that can you register with dedicated to a review of different filtering products.

For adults: See the Help and Advice section

‘Covenant Eyes’, which CARE recommends for accountability software, also provides a filtering product which can be used as a stand alone product or in combination with their accountability software.

But don’t forget that your children may be able to access the internet at other places other than home – at a friend’s house, library or through their mobile phone, if they have one – and many do!

I am concerned that my child may be in contact with a stranger? What should I do?

If you suspect inappropriate chat or behaviour with your child online, you should discuss it with them and report to it the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre. You can make a report on their website, www.ceop.gov.uk

I am concerned that my child is being bullied online? What should I do?

An increasing number of young people are finding themselves bullied by the peers via their mobile phone, email, social networking sites and other online systems. If you suspect this is happening to your child, talk to them and find out more information. Keep the evidence. You should also go and see the head teacher of your child’s school. For more information on cyberbullying, refer to www.digizen.org