Children Should Not Use the Internet Without Their Parents' Supervision
Children should not use the Internet without their Parents' Supervision
Internet is a network that virtually connects computers around the world. It has an address network which makes communication possible between the computers. It is an open phone line and an open television channel to millions of people around the world who can communicate anonymously (Palmer, 2006). People use it to exchange files and e-mails, to surf the World Wide Web, to download songs or other types of files, to take part of discussion boards, and to send instant messages. It can be beneficial when it comes to freedom of press, and less disintermediation between people (Palmer, 2006). It can also be of assistance when it comes to doing some kind of research, finding some specific information about any topic, or even getting an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree when it comes to busy people who want to expand their horizons. However, internet has many risks in contrast to its benefits and it should not be used by children without adult supervision and parental control.
The Risks of the Internet:
To begin with, while using the internet, children are exposed to different kinds of materials. In most cases, they are exposed to inappropriate ones such as sexually explicit materials and/or violent ones (Magid, 2003). Some children, especially adolescents, are curious about sexuality and sexually explicit material; they can move away from their family and seek fulfillments for their curiosities online. Hence, dangerous situations commonly occur due to the child molesters on the other side of the net waiting to find those children, seduce them, and manipulate them (Freeh, 2008). It is also worth mentioning that other children can be exposed to such resources by accident; they can receive them through e-mail spam or when a popup that contains violent or sexual materials opens in front of them (Magid, 2003). Also, there are some people who attempt to sexually exploit children online. Some of
Internet is a network that virtually connects computers around the world. It has an address network which makes communication possible between the computers. It is an open phone line and an open television channel to millions of people around the world who can communicate anonymously (Palmer, 2006). People use it to exchange files and e-mails, to surf the World Wide Web, to download songs or other types of files, to take part of discussion boards, and to send instant messages. It can be beneficial when it comes to freedom of press, and less disintermediation between people (Palmer, 2006). It can also be of assistance when it comes to doing some kind of research, finding some specific information about any topic, or even getting an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree when it comes to busy people who want to expand their horizons. However, internet has many risks in contrast to its benefits and it should not be used by children without adult supervision and parental control.
The Risks of the Internet:
To begin with, while using the internet, children are exposed to different kinds of materials. In most cases, they are exposed to inappropriate ones such as sexually explicit materials and/or violent ones (Magid, 2003). Some children, especially adolescents, are curious about sexuality and sexually explicit material; they can move away from their family and seek fulfillments for their curiosities online. Hence, dangerous situations commonly occur due to the child molesters on the other side of the net waiting to find those children, seduce them, and manipulate them (Freeh, 2008). It is also worth mentioning that other children can be exposed to such resources by accident; they can receive them through e-mail spam or when a popup that contains violent or sexual materials opens in front of them (Magid, 2003). Also, there are some people who attempt to sexually exploit children online. Some of
References: Emigh, J. (2008, April 09). Should kids be taught 'Internet safety ' in schools?. Retrieved June 3, 2008, from BetaNews Web site: http://www.betanews.com/article/Should_kids_be_taught_Internet_safety_in_schools/1207694301 Freeh, L. J. (2008). A Parent 's guide to internet safety. Retrieved June 3, 2008, from FBI Publications Web site: http://www.fbi.gov/publications/pguide/pguidee.htm Magid, L. J. (2003). Child Safety on the Information Highway. Retrieved June 3, 2008, from SafeKids.com Web site: http://www.safekids.com/child_safety.htm Palmer, B. (2006, September). The risks of internet use by children. Retrieved June 3, 2008, from St. Joseph School Presentation Web site: www.stjosephparishschool.us/documents/safety.pdf Whitlock, N. W., & Martinez, M. (2003). Keeping Kids Safe on the Internet. ParentHood.com, Retrieved June 3, 2008, from http://www.parenthood.com/article-topics/article-topics.php?Article_ID=4783.