Once upon a time there was a time when our children could roam the streets freely playing merrily with their prams and tricycles while under no threat from evil doers. Alas, a different type of environment filled with pedophiles and murderers has changed all that. Parents are now enforcing protection campaigns not only on the street for the kids but in the home too. Children don't have a childhood any more, living their life looking over their shoulder has them turn to the internet for comfort where danger lurks from one click of a mouse.
A recent news bulletin said our Government has given full backing to a report recommending video games be forced to carry cinema-style age classifications. This will be seen as a positive action from our government; however parliament gets no medals for this decision because it is a decision of necessity
At present only video games showing sex or deadly violence needs an age rating from the British Board of Film Classification and less than 2% carry an 18 certificate? A lawful-binding system would guarantee that every video game is rated in the same way as movies - which are classed U (universal), PG (parental guidance), 12, 15 or 18 - with the age regulation printed out clearly for parents who are not computer-literate. Kids today can outsmart the best of the best with their computer skills and can easily dupe mom and dad so be careful.
The government consulted with psychologist Tanya Byron and gave the thumbs up for her to look into this issue. It was Tanya who suggested that parents should be given computer lessons and guidance to help them avoid being outwitted by their off springs that have grown up with latest technology. She said an education promotion to alert parents and teachers of the risks of games and the web in general is vital. If this suggestion were made compulsory then children may well be safe from internet perverts and games of mind destruction. It does not end here, she also said a new code of practice aimed at regulating social networking sites, such as Bebo and Facebook, should be developed which would include introducing principals on privacy and harmful content. Additionally, there should be new laws banning web-assisted suicide and rightly so.
Sadly, even though concerned parents know of the risks involved they do not want to deprive the kids of their computer pleasures and fail to take action (Not all parents). One point that Dr Byron brings to light in her statement is that "The digital world risks are comparable to real world risks but can be improved by the anonymity and ubiquity that the online space brings." Keeping children safe must be the top priority and responsibility of us all - so it is important for this decision by our government to be sanctioned asp. The internet is here to stay so we have to accept this and deal with it.
This important issue remains a priority for Government and the United Kingdom Council on Child Internet Safety, established by and reporting to the Prime Minister will lead on a national strategy for improving child internet safety." There are a vast variety of options for parents to choose from to keep their child safe while surfing the net.
1 It is in your child's best interest to have the computer local in the house and not in the bedroom.
2 Point out to the little ones on what is appropriate and what is not.
3 If by accident your child stumbles across an inappropriate website and comes to you with a question, then it is important to praise them for coming to you.
4 If there are times and there will be, that you can not be present while your child studies or plays games then you have the option of initiating parental control over the sites you approve of.
5 In your absence you can alter the computer settings so that you are in control of site surfing.
A simple configuration of Microsoft Internet Explorer will allow this, however not a good option if you have older children doing research for school or college.
Kids love chat rooms, however if left unsupervised in a gossip forum then it can create problems.
Chat rooms are generally anonymous which is quite scary.
If your child is adamant on joining a chat room then give them some advice on how to keep safe.
6 Your child should use a nickname and never reveal his or her real name.
7 Not under any circumstances should they reveal where they live
8 Never tell anyone what school they go to or where they work.
9 Do not give out your home or their mobile phone number.
10 Never agree to meet someone without a parent or friend present
Now to give the government a kick up the back side to get the ball rolling so our children can enjoy the internet for the reason it was created, i.e. safe socializing, fun and entertainment and most importantly to learn.
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