Dangers Of The Web

When you surf the web, your computer is constantly downloading files and in some cases other software so you can use the web to its full capacity. However, sometimes these files or programs are written by people who want to steal your information or harm your computer. This is called Malware or Malicious Software. There is also a danger when using online social sites such as Facebook and Twitter, these sites can put children at a much greater risk to receive a message from a stranger which could then lead on to meeting with a stranger. Other concerns of social networking sites can consist of a lack of age-verification mechanisms, access to provocative pictures and videos, and easy access for predators and cyber-bullies.

On the Internet, cyber-bullying takes various forms. It includes sending hateful messages or even death threats to children, spreading lies about them online, making nasty comments on their social networking profiles, or even creating a website or profile to humiliate their looks or reputation. Cyber-bullying differs from school-yard bullying as teachers can't intervene when it's on the Internet. Another issue with cyber-bullying is that the bullies don't witness their victims' reactions as they are not in their presence. A woman named Mary Ellen Handy experienced being cyber bullied due to a girl being jealous after she'd dated a boy. She'd receive messages such as "I hate you, leave the school." from the girl, and Mary stated herself "she'd call me every name in the book." The jealous girl managed to get up to 20 others to join her and to send messages of abuse to Handy,  This case went on for a few months making Mary nervous to go to school, making her feel physically ill and even had a negative effect on her grades.

To make sure your child is safe using the web, make sure they know that they should never give out any personal information online such as a phone number, address, or any private information such as passwords or credit card details. Your kids would not give their address to a stranger on the phone, nor should they divulge it online. Teach your children to come to you and let you know if they have any trouble or anything which they have not seen before and might be dangerous. A parent can also use a parental control software for an appropriate reason to make sure their children don't go on dangerous websites.


References;
http://www.webmd.com/parenting/features/4-dangers-internet
http://www.internetsafety101.org/snsdangers.htm
http://www.surveilstar.com/top-5-dangers-of-using-the-internet.html