Ways to Keep Your Abbot, ME Kids Safe on the Internet

by James Freedman

Growing up in a time when a simple "don't talk to strangers" was sufficient, dealing with the inherent dangers of the Internet - a place where a predator can masquerade as an innocent twelve-year-old girl - can be a daunting task.

But despite this intrinsic risk, the benefits of the online world are also innumerable. As a learning tool, the Internet is an unprecedented resource. As a playground, it offers endless entertainment.

For these reasons, completely restricting your Abbot, ME child's access to the Internet is probably not the best idea. But safety still needs to be a priority.

You've probably heard plenty of basic computer safety tips. Leaving your child's computer out in a common area of the house might be a good idea. Placing time limits and restricting access might help curb addiction. And laying down the law with your kids: Don't give out your full name, address, or any personal information to strangers - and never arrange to meet someone outside of the virtual world.

But for some parents, trusting their kids to do the right thing doesn't offer sufficient comfort. That's where companies like SearchHelp come in. They design software to let parents monitor the computer use of their children. SearchHelp's latest software even goes as far as to e-mail or text-message parents if an inappropriate phrase is sent to their children over chat ("do you like sex?") and let them take appropriate action - such as locking down the computer or sending their children a warning message - remotely.

Is this going too far? I spoke with SearchHelp President Joseph Carrizzo, who told me they don't see their software as a spy-tool, but rather a way for Abbot, ME parents to stand "over the shoulder of a child without being in the same room."

"What we've found is that most parents actually tell their child that they are being monitored ... but the parent needs to be a parent first and worry about privacy later," he said.

Carrizzo also cited the difficulty law enforcement officers face when trying to track down online predators.

"[Parents] can't just rely on law enforcement, they have to be proactive in protecting their kids," he said.

And, of course, simply telling your child "don't talk to strangers" might not be enough, when anyone with Internet access and a malicious intent can pretend to be an innocent child, teacher - or literally any role they can dream up.

"The Internet is a big black hole," said Carrizzo. "How do you know who's a stranger and who isn't?"

I think the other options - such as frankly discussing the risks of Internet use with your child - may be superior to invading his privacy, but that's for you to decide. If software like this is for you, SearchHelp's products are available online at www.searchhelp.com. Other similar programs from other companies are also available and can be found via a Web search.

For more information on Internet safety, check out the Web site www.netsmartz.org, meant to "teach kids and teens how to stay safer on the Internet."