Children Online
Computers have traditionally been trusted by both children and adults as reliable and
accurate sources of information. The rapid growth of online services and internet access
has added a new dimension to modern computing. Through the internet children now
have access to an almost endless supply of information and opportunity for interaction.
However, there can be real risks and dangers for an unsupervised child.
Most online services give children resources such as encyclopedias, current events
coverage, and access to libraries and other valuable material. They can also play games
and communicate with friends on social media platforms like Facebook. The ability to
"click" from one area to another appeals to a child's natural impulsivity and curiosity and
needs for immediate gratification or feedback.
Most parents teach their children not to talk with strangers, not to open the door if they
are home alone, and not to give out information on the telephone to unknown callers.
Most parents also monitor where their children go, who they play with, and what TV
shows, books, or magazines they are exposed to. However, many parents don't realize
that the same level of guidance and supervision must be provided for a child's online
experience.
Parents cannot assume that their child will be protected by the supervision or regulation
provided by the online services. Most "chat rooms" and social media sites are completely
unsupervised. Because of the anonymous nature of the "screen name," children who
communicate with others in these areas will not know if they are "talking" with another
child or a child predator pretending to be a child or teen. Unlike the mail and visitors that
a parent sees a child receive at home, e-mail or "chat room" activity is not seen by
parents. Unfortunately, there can be serious consequences to children who have been
persuaded to give personal information, (e.g. name, passwords, phone number, email or
home address) or have agreed to meet someone in person.
Some of the other risks or problems include:
• accessing areas that are inappropriate or overwhelming
• being exposed to online information that promotes hate, violence, and
pornography
• being misled and bombarded with intense advertising
• being invited to register for prizes or to join a club when they are providing
personal or household information to an unknown source
• losing time from developing real social skills and from physical activity and
exercise
• revealing too much personal information on social media sites
• being bullied on social media sites
In order to make a child's online experience more safe and educational, parents
should:
• limit the amount of time a child spends online and "surfing the web"
• teach a child that talking to "screen names" in a "chat room" is the same as talking
with strangers
• teach a child never to give out any personal identifying information to another
individual or website online
• teach a child to never agree to actually meet someone they have met online
• never give a child credit card numbers or passwords that will enable online
purchases or access to inappropriate services or sites
• remind a child that not everything they see or read online is true
• make use of the parental control features offered with your online service, or
obtaining commercially available software programs, to restrict access to "chat
lines," news groups, and inappropriate websites
• provide for an individual e-mail address only if a child is mature enough to
manage it, and plan to periodically monitor the child's e-mail and online activity
• monitor the content of a child's personal webpage and screen name profile
information
• teach a child to use the same courtesy in communicating with others online as
they would if speaking in person -- i.e. no vulgar or profane language, no name
calling, etc.
• insist that a child follow the same guidelines at other computers that they might
have access to, such as those at school, libraries, or friends' homes
Parents should remember that communicating online does not prepare children for real
interpersonal relationships. Spending time with a child initially exploring an online
service and periodically participating with a child in the online experience gives parents
an opportunity to monitor and supervise the activity. It is also an opportunity to learn
together.
Quazi Imam, M.D.
Board Certified in Psychiatry.
Board Certified in Addiction Psychiatry.
Board Certified in Geriatric Psychiatry.
Board Certified in Forensic Psychiatry.
Former Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, NY.
Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist,Harvard Medical School Trained.
1833 W. Pioneer Parkway Tel: 682-323-4566
Arlington, Texas 76013
Computers have traditionally been trusted by both children and adults as reliable and
accurate sources of information. The rapid growth of online services and internet access
has added a new dimension to modern computing. Through the internet children now
have access to an almost endless supply of information and opportunity for interaction.
However, there can be real risks and dangers for an unsupervised child.
Most online services give children resources such as encyclopedias, current events
coverage, and access to libraries and other valuable material. They can also play games
and communicate with friends on social media platforms like Facebook. The ability to
"click" from one area to another appeals to a child's natural impulsivity and curiosity and
needs for immediate gratification or feedback.
Most parents teach their children not to talk with strangers, not to open the door if they
are home alone, and not to give out information on the telephone to unknown callers.
Most parents also monitor where their children go, who they play with, and what TV
shows, books, or magazines they are exposed to. However, many parents don't realize
that the same level of guidance and supervision must be provided for a child's online
experience.
Parents cannot assume that their child will be protected by the supervision or regulation
provided by the online services. Most "chat rooms" and social media sites are completely
unsupervised. Because of the anonymous nature of the "screen name," children who
communicate with others in these areas will not know if they are "talking" with another
child or a child predator pretending to be a child or teen. Unlike the mail and visitors that
a parent sees a child receive at home, e-mail or "chat room" activity is not seen by
parents. Unfortunately, there can be serious consequences to children who have been
persuaded to give personal information, (e.g. name, passwords, phone number, email or
home address) or have agreed to meet someone in person.
Some of the other risks or problems include:
• accessing areas that are inappropriate or overwhelming
• being exposed to online information that promotes hate, violence, and
pornography
• being misled and bombarded with intense advertising
• being invited to register for prizes or to join a club when they are providing
personal or household information to an unknown source
• losing time from developing real social skills and from physical activity and
exercise
• revealing too much personal information on social media sites
• being bullied on social media sites
In order to make a child's online experience more safe and educational, parents
should:
• limit the amount of time a child spends online and "surfing the web"
• teach a child that talking to "screen names" in a "chat room" is the same as talking
with strangers
• teach a child never to give out any personal identifying information to another
individual or website online
• teach a child to never agree to actually meet someone they have met online
• never give a child credit card numbers or passwords that will enable online
purchases or access to inappropriate services or sites
• remind a child that not everything they see or read online is true
• make use of the parental control features offered with your online service, or
obtaining commercially available software programs, to restrict access to "chat
lines," news groups, and inappropriate websites
• provide for an individual e-mail address only if a child is mature enough to
manage it, and plan to periodically monitor the child's e-mail and online activity
• monitor the content of a child's personal webpage and screen name profile
information
• teach a child to use the same courtesy in communicating with others online as
they would if speaking in person -- i.e. no vulgar or profane language, no name
calling, etc.
• insist that a child follow the same guidelines at other computers that they might
have access to, such as those at school, libraries, or friends' homes
Parents should remember that communicating online does not prepare children for real
interpersonal relationships. Spending time with a child initially exploring an online
service and periodically participating with a child in the online experience gives parents
an opportunity to monitor and supervise the activity. It is also an opportunity to learn
together.
Quazi Imam, M.D.
Board Certified in Psychiatry.
Board Certified in Addiction Psychiatry.
Board Certified in Geriatric Psychiatry.
Board Certified in Forensic Psychiatry.
Former Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, NY.
Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist,Harvard Medical School Trained.
1833 W. Pioneer Parkway Tel: 682-323-4566
Arlington, Texas 76013
