My Turn Column

June, 2005

Keeping Kids Safe on the Internet

With summer's arrival, many children will spend more hours in front of a computer, exploring the Internet. Their keystrokes can open a world of interesting information and entertainment.

But the Net is not a perfect babysitter. Interactivity adds greatly to its appeal, but it also exposes kids to dangers not always easily detected.

As computer technology has improved, predators, hackers and scam artists have become more sophisticated as well. Identity theft and fraud are on the increase. Getting personal and financial information from unwary Internet users is all too common. Sexual exploitation or enticement, cyber-stalking, and exposure to Web sites with inappropriate content are just a few of the dangers.

I don't want anyone to stop taking advantage of the incredibly valuable resources offered on the Internet. I just want everyone, especially young people and their parents, to understand the risks and warning signs.

As Attorney General, I have seen the tragic results when unsuspecting teens enter chat rooms that sexual predators also visit. Young people, who would never talk face-to-face with a complete stranger and never offer intimate personal information to someone they just met, can be extremely open and trusting in Internet chat rooms. Many don't realize that the information they post about themselves and offhand comments they make in chat rooms can lead to trouble. Many times pedophiles will enter chat rooms using a disguise of a young person and attempt to lure them away from home.

Prosecuting online predators is only part of the battle. The best way we can protect Arizona's children is to teach them how to avoid becoming victims in the first place.

The Attorney General's Office has created a Kids Web Page that provides valuable information on Internet safety. Content is appropriate by age level. I encourage parents, as well as teens and preteens, to take a look and take the lessons. They are interactive and highly informative. Be warned, this is no powder-puff course, it takes a substantial amount of time and uses real life stories of kids who got in trouble. At the end of the course, participants will receive an Internet safe driving license!

Here are some warning signs that a child might be at risk on the Internet:

• Your child spends an increasing amount of time online, often in chat rooms, especially at night.
• Your child turns off the computer quickly or changes the screen when you come into the room.
• Your child becomes more withdrawn from the family.
• Your child uses an online account belonging to someone else.
• Your child receives phone calls from people you don't know or places long-distance calls to new numbers.
• Your child receives mail or gifts from someone you don't know.
• You find pornography on your child's computer.

Parents should have rules about computer use. Here are some suggestions:

• Keep your computer in a central location where you can see the screen. It is harder to keep a secret when adults can regularly see what young people are doing online.
• Use parental controls and/or blocking software. Most Internet service providers provide graduated levels of parental controls that block access to certain adult-oriented sites. There also are a number of effective filtering software packages on the market.
• Maintain access to your child's account and randomly check email. At first, many parents think this type of access is invading their child's privacy. Think of it another way. If your child received mail from a stranger, wouldn't you ask who was writing to them?
• If you suspect your child has communicated with a sexual predator, talk openly about your suspicions. If you find anything inappropriate has taken place, contact the police immediately. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children also has a Cyber Tipline for anyone who wants to report child sexual exploitation. Contact 1.800.843.5678.

Parents are responsible for helping our children use the Internet safely. For more tips and links to online resources, visit the Arizona Attorney General's Office Web site at www.azag.gov or NetSmartz at www.netsmartz.com.