Internet Safety and Security

Victims

In Casper, Wyoming on Dec. 16, 2009, an arrests were made of two men who attacked a women due to the internet. One man, the ex-boyfriend, put up a solicitation of the woman’s profile on Craigslist and of her “supposed desires”, while the other attacker saw the solicitation and engaged in the later crime of assaulting the woman in her home at knife point to “fulfill the request.” These men are now convicted on first degree sexual assault charges. The internet’s anonymity can be a very dangerous tool in the hands of predators who look especially for online ads that hint at sex and prostitution.

In Riverside County, California, Joshua David Threlkeld will be on trial February 16, 2010 for 126 charges against him involving 80  victims for crimes that have happened since August 2007.  Under the guise of Model-508 Studios on the MySpace network, he solicited girls between the ages of 11-17 for nude modeling work as well as sexually assaulting some of them. He was thankfully caught, but only after he has committed 149 charges of crime that we know of. Do you give your children free reign online and trust your them to do what you want them to online? Don’t be a fool, protect them. Would you rather have your child offended at you because you are in “their” business, or would you rather take the risk of having them assaulted by one of the thousands of “Josh’s” online?

Family, Internet Safety, Protecting Children

While Internet dangers are rising higher for children, the U K’s TalkTalk program has come to blame parents for their child’s poor Internet behavior. In their studies, they found 25% view content they shouldn’t, 11%get bullied or are the bully, 25% say their parents had no idea what they do online, 62% lie about what they do online to their parents, 53% percent delete their online activities history, if this is not bad enough 5% said they talk to strangers with a web cam, and 2% have actually met with these strangers.

These articles are meant to wake people up to the fact the the Internet is a dark alley that may lead you to where you want to go, but would you want your kids going alone?

In 2004 , Chris Hansen for Dateline did an investigation and found that 1in 5 children are sexually solicited while online. They set up a a fake profile online as a teen wanting sex. Within hours of the posting men were literally lining up at the location specified. Are you convinced it’s a reality yet? All predators have to do is to watch your kids online chatting with other friends. He gets to know your child and then introduces himself as someone he thinks your child would like. The fact that this happens so much proves that children fall for it time and again.

Get involved with your children, educate them of dangers, set rules for their use, and then filter their online activity.

Family, Parental Control, Protecting Children

We have heard over and over again that we are only responsible to ourselves. The shrinks and counselors will also tell you “look out for number one” you cannot be your brother’s keeper. I say hogwash we have a responsibility to family, friends and yes foes to be an example and to help in any way we can to better a person and even a country.

One thing that makes America different and unique is the fact that we have always tried to be a big brother to those in need. Some would vehemently disagree with this, saying we should mind our own business, or we have enough troubles of our own. I will agree we have plenty of troubles of our own as individuals as well as a nation.

That is what makes us different, we as Americans as a whole are willing to put our issues to the side to help others. We live in a day were technology changes ever so fast. Computers the size of a notebook were a dream not too long ago. Surfing the Internet was unheard of. We as parents, friends and leaders in our community need to stand up and fight the trash that is pumping into homes, schools and our public libraries via the Internet. This is not censorship, but being responsible.

We must start in our homes, then to our friends and ultimately to our community and the world. The dangers of the Internet need to be taught and taught and taught. It is said in warfare you must know your opponent, well we must teach those using the Internet to know their opponent. Stay tune and I will give you some tips in the area of Internet safety and security.

Family, Internet Safety, Internet Security, Protecting Children

Parents throughout time have said this in one way or another. It may not have been those exact words, nevertheless we have said no and we have warned our family of danger.

Growing up in a small town in New York I was like any other kid. I played outside, rode my bike, and engaged in all sorts of I Dare You contests. My parents did their best to protect me from all sorts of dangers that might have harmed me.

Today’s parents have a vast new area of danger that was not available when I was growing up. First let me say I did not grow up in the stone ages, (maybe to some it was the 60’s) Parents today have the World Wide Web to contend with.

The dangers on the Internet should be addressed in the household. Parents must stand in front of their family and say “No, you’ll shoot your eye out”

We must safe guard the Internet with monitoring and filtering if we neglect this one thing you can be sure of is someone in the household will shoot there eye out. We live in a day were we have so much more to guard against besides the class bully or the hurt full tongues of teenage girls. Please do your home work and implement Internet safety in your home.

Family, Protecting Children

Lesson 4

Monitor and limit

This topic can be one that will cause some problems. Your kids can see this as an invasion of their privacy (give me a break) the fact is you set the rules and you enforce them.

Monitor what your children are doing online there should be no secrets if there are chances are there is a problem. This is where a good filter and monitoring software can come in handy. They will have features that allow you to see sites that were accessed and sites that were blocked (that is if you have an Internet filter) remember you are there protector. We know today’s teens think they know ever thing and don’t need any advice, but to the contrary they are weak and vulnerable.

Limit the time you allow your kids to be on the Internet. Decide the times and the days and stick to it. Spending too much play time on the Internet can be very dangerous.

Family, Internet Safety, Parental Control

Lesson 2

The lesson I would like to talk about today is the need to control what is and is not allowed to enter your home via the World Wide Web. The responsibility to control content must be implemented by the parent.

How do you do this? There are many products out there that can aid in this area. Do the research and choose a good filtering and monitoring program that will meet your needs. Please do not listen to those who would say “do not censor your Internet” you have a God given responsibility to protect and guide your family.

Do not allow filth in your home, guard yourself and your family from the dangers of the Internet.

Stay tune for lesson 3

Talk,Talk,Talk

Family, Parental Control, content filter

Internet Safety seems to be a topic that is left out of most family circles. The fact is the Internet is much more of a threat to your family then just about any other danger that is out there today.

Parents need to be proactive when it comes to Internet Safety. The key is communicate do not be like the proverbial ostrich with his head in the sand. Keep your eyes open to your kid’s activity on the computer, monitor their usage and filter content that is harmful to them.

Talk and then lead by example; set guidelines for usage of the Internet surfing and keep them. Do not turn a blind eye to your family’s usage of the Internet. Get informed and stay on top of the Internet issue.

Family, Internet Safety

Wherever you stand on the health care issue, whether you believe the government wants to kill Grandma or not, or the health care reform proposed will greatly help our country. The fact is we are in danger of a greater Health Care issue.

The danger I am talking about is neither the Swine Flu nor the threat of a terrorist attack. The danger I am referring to is the one that is already in the majority of homes in the United States.

The Internet

Now before you dismiss me as a nut listen up the Internet if allowed can destroy you, your family, and your mind and can cause a great heartache in your life. Think about this: would you allow a known sexually predator in your house? Yet a child or adult if not careful could open a door way into your home via the Internet. Would you allow a vile exploitation of men, women and children to be posted on your walls? Yet an unfiltered unmonitored Internet allows that and much more.

More important than the debate on Health care reform is the issue of what are you doing to protect your family from the dangers of the internet. Let me be blunt, I believe you are putting your family at great risk if you do not monitor, filter and teach them the possible dangers of the internet.

My daughter just turned sweet sixteen (not sure about the sweet) she also just received her learners permit to drive. A car is a wonderful and useful object in the day we live in. A car can also be a dangerous tool if not trained on the proper procedure of operating it. The Internet is a place of wonder a place of excitement and yes a place of danger if those who operate  it are not trained. When my daughter jumped in the driver seat for the first time the first instruction I gave her was PUT YOUR SEAT BELT ON why? I want her to be protected. We need protection when we are on the World Wide Web also.

Keep you and your family healthy long after the Health Care debate is over. Do your home work and find the best protection for your needs.

Family, Internet Security, Protecting Children

Keeping your family safe while online is one of the main reasons that a great Internet monitoring and filtering system should be installed on your computer.  These types of service will not only give you peace of mind, but they will protect your family from the garbage that may enter through an unfilled and unmonitored system.

There are many options to choose from; I would suggest taking some time to write down what is important to you and choose a system that will best suit your family’s  needs.

Family

Tips for Parents on Internet safety

Most of us are familiar the image of Charlton Hesston coming down the mountain with gleaming white hair and holding two tablets that were written from the hand of God. This was a scene from the movie The Ten Commandments. Now I am not claiming the following tips are inspired from God. The following tips are just a few thoughts from a parent of three teenagers.

The Internet is a tool that must be used safely I hope these tips are a help.

1. I will not give out any personal information over the internet without my parents’ permission.

2. I will tell my parents right away if I come across any information that makes me feel uncomfortable.

3. When using the internet I will not use my picture or pictures of my family members.

4. The computer will be in the family room (not in a child’s room).

5. I will never agree to meet anyone that I met online without checking with my parents first.

6. I will not respond to any messages that are mean or in any way make me feel uncomfortable.

7. I will not give out my internet password to anyone, not even my best friends, other than my parents.

8. I will check with my parents before downloading or installing software or doing anything that could possibly hurt our computer or jeopardize my family’s privacy.

9. I will be a good online and not to do anything that hurts other people or is against the law.

10. I will help my parents to understand what I like online, how to have fun, and teach them about how to use the internet, the computers, and all technology.

Family, Protecting Children