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Coastal Carolina University

Online Safety for Kids

Kirsten Piuma
Computer Science 101
Professor McCallum

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Technology has allowed us to obtain knowledge in a most efficient
way. However, utilizing that technology is also leaving us vulnerable to
exploitation (Defranco 52). Child safety in general is a big concern all
around the world. Some people only see child safety as making sure they
wear their helmet, looking both ways before crossing the street or even
making sure their nutrition is what it needs to be. A rising concern that some
parents and caregivers dont think about it online safety! More than four in
five adolescents currently own at least one type of electronic device like a
cellphone or a computer (Protecting Children 4). There is a common
misconception that teens know more than their parents about how to
actually use the Internet. For instance, a child may be more familiar with the
latest blog or social networking site but they arent aware of the risks that
using the Internet incorrectly pose. Children are at risk everyday for cyberbully, online predators and being exposed to something inappropriate.
Some people may be in shock to find out that the FBI has made cyber
crime their third most priority. Cyber criminals are getting smarter and they
know what tools to use on social networking sites to collect personal
information posted by users. (Defranco 53) Researchers in Australia
concluded that most of what their children reported as bothering experiences
online consisted of bullying, sites that promoted self-harm. What some may
find more disturbing is that it is believed other children are the ones creating
these harmful websites. (Gunders 182) Reports of harassment, cyber-bullying
and sexual solicitation have all risen with the rise in electronic media use.

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Studies report that 9% to 34% of Americas children are victims of bullying,
insults and other forms of online harassment and more alarming 4% to 21%
admitted to being perpetrators of online harassment (Protecting Children 4).
There are many ways for adolescents to be involved in risky behavior such
as, social networking sites, instant messaging, chat rooms, and blogs.
However, of students who reported electronic harassment and sexual
solicitations a whopping 67% said they were victimized using some type of
instant messaging source.
We tell our teens not to talk to strangers, yet that is exactly what they
are doing on the Internet. Kids are posting personal information such as their
name, age and address online, which is available to the public eye! Some
teens are even chatting with people they have never met personally on
social networking cites. (Defranco 52) In 2006 a survey found that 55% of
American adolescents had created some type of social networking page such
as Myspace or Facebook, where they can give up information to sexual
predators voluntarily or even on accident (Protecting Children 4). Posting
pictures with landmarks or obvious locations makes it easy for predators to
find someones location and learn even more about them. A survey done in
1999 recorded the privacy practices of 212 childrens websites. Their findings
were interesting and eye opening. 96% of children solicited their email
addresses, which often consist of their name. 24% of children using these
websites solicited their phone number and gender. 74% of children offered
their names to websites and nearly 50% solicited postal addresses ages and

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birthdates. The survey also found that children gave information like hobbies
and interests, and software information. (Online Marketing 10)
In a report published by the University of New Hampshire and the
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children they reported that one in
four Internet users age 10 to 17 were exposed to pornographic images and
one in five had been solicited for sex in a single year (Descy 3). A research
center project reported that 15% of 12-17 year olds with a cell phone
reported they had received sexually suggestive nude or nearly nude image
from someone they know (Livingstone16). In Australia it was found that
roughly 30% of children have seen something online that bothered them.
(Gunders 183) Two major issues that are in the limelight right now are
sexting and texting while driving. LG Mobile Phones sponsored a study
surveying teens in the study 45% of teens admitted to texting while driving
and 41% admitted to some form of sexting (Defranco 53). A possible
solution for texting and driving is the installation of software on a childs
phone that prevents them from texting while driving.
Internet security is very important and online tools used in schools
require kids to spend more time online. It is important for people to educate
children on the dangers of the Internet. Important issues to stress to kids
are: never meet someone in person whom they have met online and do not
give out personal identifying information online. Caretakers need to know the
signals that determine a child is at risk of being a target for an online
predator. The FBI says to look out for children spending a lot of time online,

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pay attention if they receive phone calls from people they dont know, if a
child turns a monitor off when you walk in the room, or gifts in the mail.
(DeFranco 53)
Internet security is an important topic and should be taken very
seriously by parents, law enforcement and educators. Due to the growing
usage of electronics and the Internet, children need to be educated on how
to utilize these tools safely and appropriately. Kids of all ages lack emotional
maturity. They also need attention and validation; combine that with their
extreme lack of caution, and connect a broadband connection, and we now
have a big problem. Children should be aware of the consequences of
harassing someone online in anyway, giving out personal information or
sending inappropriate pictures to people they dont know or even to people
they do know (Defranco 52). Awareness is key for online safety for kids.

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Works Cited
DeFranco, Joanna F. "Teaching Internet Security, Safety In Our Classrooms." Techniques:
Connecting Education And Careers 86.5 (2011): 52-55. ERIC. Web. 4 Nov. 2016.
Descy, Don E. "Keeping Kids Safe Online." Techtrends: Linking Research & Practice To
Improve Learning 50.5 (2006): 3-4. Professional Development Collection. Web. 4 Nov.
2016.
Gunders, L. "Risks And Safety For Australian Children On The Internet: Full Findings From The
AU Kids Online Survey Of 9-16-Year-Olds And Their Parents." Media International
Australia142 (n.d.): 182-183. Social Sciences Citation Index. Web. 4 Nov. 2016.
Livingstone, Sonia. "Online Risk, Harm And Vulnerability: Reflections On The Evidence Base
For Child Internet Safety Policy." Zer: Revista De Estudios De Comunicacion 18.35
(2013): 13-28. Academic Search Complete. Web. 4 Nov. 2016.

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Online Marketing To Kids: How To Protect Yourself." School Libraries In Canada 20.2 (2000):
10-11. ERIC. Web. 4 Nov. 2016.
"Protecting Children And Teens From Cyber-Harm." Harvard Mental Health Letter 25.1 (2008):
4-5. Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection. Web. 4 Nov. 2016.