Internet Coach for Net Safety

Reviewed by Kim Moon
Published by APTE

Age Group: Age 4 to 8, Age 8 and Up
Type: Computer Toolbox
Price: $28.95 US

PC version requires:
486, Windows, 16M RAM, CDx4

Mac version requires:
68040 Processor or Power MacIntosh, System 7.1, 8MB RAM

Description:

Internet Coach for Net Safety is a three part program. There is the section titled "Internet Coach for Net Safety "which teaches common terms and potential pitfalls on the Internet. This section has a comprehensive glossary, answers to commonly asked questions, and even a safety quiz. The "Pizza Panic" and "Pizza Panic Plus" sections contain the same game, but the "plus" section includes clickable icons that explain the relationship between hazards found in the game and common Internet dangers. (This version of the game is intended to spur discussion between parent and child.) Pizza Panic, the game in both of these sections, is a simple treasure hunt where the player has to pick up different articles (zoo pass, homework, library book, etc.) in order to locate a missing pet monkey. The hunt begins at home where the player has to find three items for the inventory bar. At the school, the player must use the acquired items to get new items that will be used later at the zoo. Once at the zoo, the player uses items in the inventory bar to get the needed item (a pizza slice) and to distract the gorilla while luring the pet monkey out into the open. The game covers such topics as: inappropriate content, password abuse, personal identity theft, financial scam, impostors, and viruses. There is also a demo of the safety software "Cyber Patrol" on the CD.

Features:

  • Glossary of important internet terms
  • Demo of "Cyber Patrol"
  • Printable step-by-step parent guide
  • List of "safe sites", sites for safety resources, etc.
  • Printable "safety pledge" to discuss and have kids sign
  • Safety quiz

    Technical Aspects:

    The program installed and ran smoothly with Windows 95. The graphics were colorful and adequate for their purpose.

    Report and Conclusions:

    The guide section is designed for parents to review prior to discussion with their children and is very informative. This would be especially true for the "uninitiated" people who have no idea of the hazards on the internet or solutions to encountered problems. The game is a very simple treasure hunt and is really geared more towards education than entertainment. While I don't think that kids would be begging to play this game very often, it does provide an excellent springboard for discussion and the metaphors used are "kid - friendly." The best part of this program is that it shifts the focus from censoring software to responsible, informed behavior by both parents and children. It encourages parents to closely monitor their children's computer time. No child, no matter how informed he or she is, should be left unsupervised on the internet. Parental involvement is crucial, considering the potential hazards. There is infinite wisdom in the statement included in the program's guide, "Internet safety for children is an adult responsibility."




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