Kids face a lot of Risks if not Guided in the right direction
Exposure to Inappropriate Material
One risk is that a child may be exposed to inappropriate material that is sexual, hateful, violent nature or encourages activities that are dangerous or illegal.
Physical Molestation
Although not very likely, there is a slight risk that, while online, a child might provide information or arrange an encounter that could risk his or her safety or the safety of other family members. In a few cases, pedophiles have used e-mail, bulletin boards and chat areas to gain a child's confidence and then arrange a face-to-face meeting.
Harassment
A child might encounter E-mail, chat or bulletin board messages that are harassing, demeaning, or belligerent. This risk may not be life threatening, but it could affect a child's self esteem and, frankly, it's pretty likely to occur for any child who engages in chat rooms or exchanges messages on bulletin boards.
Legal and Financial
There is also the risk that a child could do something that has negative legal or financial consequences such as giving out a parent’s credit card or doing something that violates another person’s rights. Legal issues aside, children should be taught good "netiquette" and to behave online as they would in public and to avoid being rude, mean or inconsiderate.
Passwords: Children should also be cautioned to never give out their Internet or AOL password to anyone even if the person claims to work for AOL or an Internet service provider. When in doubt, children should ask their parents and parents should know their provider's policy regarding passwords (AOL staff, for example, will never ask a member for their password).
Privacy
Children have a right to privacy. Everything about them: their name, age, what school they go, is their business and the business of their families. No one, including reputable companies, have a right to extract this information from children without first checking with the child's parents.
* Drugs, Alcohol, Tobacco and other Dangers
Some web sites and newsgroups contain information that advocates the use of drugs, tobacco or alcohol. It's even possible to find places on the Internet where you can learn to make bombs or obtain weapons. We don't know of any cases where a child has committed an act of violence or used a substance as a result of going online. If that happens, it's most likely related to something else going on in the child's life. Yet, with a rescue as vast and as uncontrolled as the Internet, you're bound to find all sorts of information.
Gambling and Other Inappropriate Behaviors
There are sites that allow people to gamble with real money or just "for fun." In some cases these sites may be operating legally in the jurisdiction where they are physically located but it is generally illegal (and inappropriate) for minors to gamble regardless of where they are. Most online gambling sites require a person to use a credit card or write a check to transfer funds. Speaking of gambling, it's also possible to buy and sell stocks and securities over the Internet If your child has access to your web browser or AOL account and your brokerage password, it is possible that he or she might be able to conduct such a transaction. Keep on eye on this. Either prevent your kid from doing it or watch closely so you can learn something.
Tools for the internet for safe surfing
Nothing replaces parental supervision and input, but these programs can lend a hand. Be sure to discuss family ground rules for computer use with your children, along with how to handle themselves if they come across something on the net that's inappropriate.
ChiBrow
The Children's Browser - allows parents to easily allow or disallow sites, and kids can find sites to browse via a drop down menu.
Crayon Crawler
Only approved sites can be visited, parents can add to the list, closed chats and messaging available limited only to other kids. Features the first talking chat room.
Cyber Patrol
Cyber Patrol is software used to manage Internet access, limit the total time spent online and block access to Internet sites that you deem inappropriate.
Cyber Snoop
Cyber Snoop shows you what information has been exchanged with your children by monitoring their on-line activity. If monitoring components are disabled without a password, the computer will shut down and reinstate the missing monitoring modules.
CYBERsitter
Cybersitter - gives the ability to limit children's access to objectionable material on the Internet. Parents can choose to block, block and alert, or simply alert them when access is attempted to these areas.
KIWE - Kid's Internet World Explorer
A "kid-safe" browser available in English or in Spanish.
Net Nanny
Net Nanny monitors and blocks various inappropriate sites and subject matter defined by parents, teachers or supervisors. Net Nanny can also block unauthorized use of specified software on or offline.
Smart Block
Blocks sites, words on the screen, and can control file access too. Free trial download.
Software4Parents
A resource for parents who want to learn more about Internet filtering and monitoring software.
Surfin' Annette
A browser for kids that blocks sites based on words, phrases, and specific sites. The parent can easily change the word list, phrase list, and site list.
Timed Internet Connection
A hardware timing device that allows parents to program specific time schedules for their children's Internet access.
We-blocker
Make an account for each browser user, comes with list of recommended and blocked sites. Parents can block or unblock sites at will, and share recommendations with other users. Free.
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