Internet Safety for Kids Age 15-18
When it comes to internet safety for kids this is the hardest age group to monitor. Kids are online all the time at this age emailing, social networking, and watching videos. The biggest concerns parents have are Social Networking sites, cyberbullying, and instant messaging.
Kids also at this age are accessing and searching for adult sites. A recent study indicated that over 80% of teenagers search for porn. Parents can use parental control software like NetNanny, CyberPatrol or software built into internet security suites.
Social Networking
Sites like MySpace and Facebook are common for teenagers to visit and hang out. Social Networking sites do have many risks and internet safety for kids means understanding how these sites work. All parents should read our Social Networking guide.
- Remind kids that all pictures and post are public domain and can be used against them
- Parents verify you are on your kids friends list
- Parents should monitor profiles for cyberbullying and inappropriate messages
Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying is when a child is harassed online or cell phone. Lately we are hearing more and more stories about parents going online and cyberbullying kids. Parents should review our guide to Cyberbullying.
- Parents should Google their child's name
- Look for web pages created in your child's name
- Read all comments and online posting
Instant Messaging
Instant messaging is a popular form of communication between kids today. The problem is pedophiles and online criminals use instant messaging.
- Pedophiles hang out in chat rooms looking for kids
- Kids can't see or hear who they are talking to
- Can lead to kids running away or meeting someone parent don't know about
- Kids and parents have created screen names similar to children they don't like and will harass others in that name
The majority of IM's allow the archiving of old messages. Generally by default this is turned off and parents should understand how to turn this feature on and occasionally review the messages. Parental control software will automatically archive IM messages.
Cell Phones and Cyberbullying
Cell phones today can easily be used to conduct cyberbullying. Kids can send text messages back and forth to each other quickly and easily. The majority of kids have cell phones for texting that can be done 24/7. Watch for attitude changes in kids while using cell phones.
Monitoring kids online
The best way to monitor kids online is with an internet filter. Parents can use parental control software like NetNanny or CyberPatrol or software in internet security suites. The only trouble with these filters are that children are very good at getting around these filters. Parents should remember that no filter is 100% perfect.