What Are the Risks?

Important Note: With any discussion of risks, it's important to realize that the most horrendous crimes are also the least likely to happen. As with all aspects of life, the risk should be put into context. Statistically, probably the greatest risk is that a child will encounter people in chat rooms and newsgroups who are mean or unpleasant. Another "risk" is that a child will spend a lot of wasted time in areas that aren't very productive.

Physical Harassment

Although not very likely, there is a slight risk that, while online, a child might provide information or arrange an encounter that could risk his or her safety or the safety of family members. In a few cases, pedophiles have used e-mail, bulletin boards and chat areas to gain a child's confidence and then arrange a face-to-face meeting.

Exposure to Inappropriate Material

An obvious risk is that a child may be exposed to inappropriate material: material that is sexual, hateful, violent in nature, or encourages dangerous or illegal activities.

Drugs, Alcohol, Tobacco and other Dangers

Some web sites and newsgroups contain information that advocates the use of drugs, tobacco or alcohol. It's even possible to find places on the Internet where you can learn to make bombs or obtain weapons. There are no known cases as yet, where a child has committed an act of violence or used a substance as a result of going online. Yet, with a resource as vast and as uncontrolled as the Internet, you're bound to find all sorts of information, good and bad.

Objectionable Messages

A child might encounter e-mail, chat or bulletin board messages that are harassing, demeaning, or abusive. This risk may not be life threatening, but it could affect a child's self esteem and is more than likely to occur at one time or another to any child who engages in chat rooms or exchanges messages on bulletin boards, so you should be aware that this happens.

Legal and Financial

There is also the risk that a child could do something that has negative legal or financial consequences, such as giving out a parent's credit card details or doing something that violates another person's rights. Legal issues aside, children should be taught good manners on the Internet and to behave online as they would in public and to avoid being rude, mean or inconsiderate to other users.

Password Security

Children should be cautioned to never give out their passwords to anyone even if the person claims to work for an Internet service provider. When in doubt, tell children to ask permission. You should also know the provider's policy regarding passwords (most Internet Service Providers' staff will never ask a member for their password). There is a risk that an Internet account could be misused or stolen by obtaining a user's password.

Privacy

Children have a right to privacy. Everything about them: their name, age, what school they go to, is the personal business of them and their families. No one, including reputable companies, have a right to extract this information from children without first checking with the child's parents.

Gambling

There are sites that allow people to gamble with real money or just "for fun." In some cases these sites may be operating legally in the jurisdiction where they are physically located but it is generally illegal (and inappropriate) for minors to gamble regardless of where they are. Although most online gambling sites require a person to use a credit card or write a check to transfer funds.

Remember that your involvement in your child's online life is by far the best insurance you can have of their safety.