Kids' Chat Rooms

Dangers of Kids' Chat Rooms

Parents have good reason to be concerned about their kids' computer use. The Internet brings the entire world to kids' fingertips, including things many parents prefer they not encounter.

Exposure to Inappropriate Content

The Internet is full of quality, educational content. However, there are a large number of sexually explicit images, articles, and ads. With a few clicks of a mouse, kids can get an education their parents never dreamed of! What's more, many online communities popular with tweens and teens are hotbeds of sexual innuendo, propositions, and suggestive photos. An innocent youngster can quickly find his email box full of lewd offers, advances, and come-ons.

Predators and Pedophiles

Even more frightening is the existence of pedophiles and predators online. Numerous stings by television news crews and law enforcement agencies have revealed adults-- both men and women-- who prey on youths in chat rooms and online communities.

It is surprisingly easy to create a whole new identity online. Predators can become a 12-year-old girl or a 16-year-old boy with a few keystrokes. These adults in disguise become our children's best friends. Over time, the kids begin telling their new friends all sorts of personal information. The adults step in and become confidantes, offering comfort and building trust. In the meantime, they are collecting data.

Some predators invite their young friends out to meet them, still posing as kids. Others eventually expose their true identities and step up the sexual aspect of the relationship. Even if something inside tells kids that the relationship is wrong, many kids crave love and acceptance. This need can lead kids to dangerous meetings and situations they can't handle.

Still other predators use their covert information to stalk the kids.

Bullies in Kids' Chat Rooms

There are people, both young and old, who thrive on creating turmoil. They antagonize other chat room visitors, trying to force a heated debate. Sometimes these bullies can be downright vicious. They hurl insults, innuendo, and threats. This brand of bully can be just as malicious as the playground variety, and just as damaging to your child's self-esteem.

Safety Precautions

With all of the dangers online, many experts agree that kids under the age of 12 should not use chat rooms at all. Those 12 and older can be allowed access to kids' chat rooms, with appropriate safety precautions.

Supervised Computer Use

This is the most important precaution. Never allow young children to use the Internet unsupervised. Sit with your children and discuss what is being seen. Talk about what is appropriate, what is inappropriate, and why. Teach your kids to filter what they see and hear through their own morals and values. Also guide them in the proper way to respond to inappropriate messages -- they can either leave the chat room or ignore the poster. Responding to the messages only serves to instigate further contact.

Sit with your children as they set up user names, email addresses, passwords, and profiles. Explain what information they are free to divulge and what to withhold.

Protect personal information

The anonymous nature of the Internet gives kids and teens a false sense of security. Chatters often give out personal information without even realizing it. A determined predator can easily find out your child's location by using seemingly innocuous clues.Teach your children to avoid giving any specific information. It is vital that chatters censor every word they type. Instruct your children to never mention:

• Their real name
• Their parents' or siblings' names
• Their school or teachers' names
• Their street, address, or hometown

Parental Controls

Parental controls are software programs designed to limit children's activities on the Internet. They are supposed to block pornographic sites and other inappropriate material. Other programs are designed to restrict computer use at certain times.

Keep in mind that parental controls are no substitute for parental supervision. Software is not infallible, and many kids and teens have learned to outsmart the system. Some popular parental controls include:

• Net Nanny
• Sentry PC
• PC Monitor
• Kiddy Web

More About Internet Safety

• NetSmartz offers tips, games, and articles, all designed to teach kids and teens how to stay safe on the Internet.
• Protect Kids gives information about online dangers, parental controls, and filtering.