According to a recent
study from Knowledge Networks/Statistical Research (KN/SI), one-third
of children ages 8 to 17 say the Internet is the medium they
would choose if they could only have one, with the demand exceeding
that for television, telephone and radio.
That said, nearly 500 new Internet sites containing sexually explicit material are added to the Web every day.
In 2000, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children released the results of its survey of 1,500 kids who regularly use the Internet. This survey reported the following disturbing statistics:
Children's Technology Group (CTG) is a small company based in Golden, Colo., that is committed to providing today's kids with a safer Internet experience. "The Internet is an incredible educational resource, but parents have not been able to feel secure about what their child sees there. This is the problem we are addressing, and solving, as a company," said Greg Writer, CEO of Children's Technology Group.
CTG is a leading provider in kid-safe software and offers the following basic safety guidelines for parents to discuss with their kids.
Basic Cyberspace Rules:
-- Don't talk to strangers.
-- Never give out your address or other personal information.
-- Always check with a parent before ordering anything online.
-- Surf and learn with your child; make a list of favorite Web sites that you both enjoy visiting.
-- Know with whom your child is interacting when using e-mail and chat rooms. Get acquainted with you child's online buddies.
-- Use the parental controls available through your online service, such as filters, to control surfing and e-mail usage. If such a service isn't available, demand it or subscribe to an Internet safety tool.
Visitors to the Children's Technology Group Web site can find a host of useful Internet safety resources to combat these dangers, including Garfield Island, a one-of-a-kind online kid-safe Web browser suite developed by CTG in collaboration with Garfield's creator, Jim Davis. This Internet safety tool is a community software suite of Internet-safe applications complete with a Web browser, closed e-mail and instant messaging, secure chat rooms, games, and other fun content for kids.
Garfield Island gives parents total control over the features needed to protect their whole family, with a customized separate account from www.momsanddads.com. Here parents can set filter levels, program personalized encouraging messages, and add their own preapproved sites to CTG's exclusive "include list" of authorized family-safe sites.
The dangers of the Internet are far from being eliminated, but you can protect your family easily by being a knowledgeable parent. Educating yourself and your children about the harsh realities of the Internet and the security tools and resources available to you are one great defense. Arming yourself with software such as Garfield Island lets you take charge of your family's safety when surfing the Internet.
That said, nearly 500 new Internet sites containing sexually explicit material are added to the Web every day.
In 2000, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children released the results of its survey of 1,500 kids who regularly use the Internet. This survey reported the following disturbing statistics:
- 1 in 4 children is exposed to
unwanted sexual material on the Internet.
- 1 in 5 children is approached or solicited for sex through e-mail or chat.
- 1 in 33 children is telephoned;
receives letters, money or gifts; or is asked to meet for sex.
Children's Technology Group (CTG) is a small company based in Golden, Colo., that is committed to providing today's kids with a safer Internet experience. "The Internet is an incredible educational resource, but parents have not been able to feel secure about what their child sees there. This is the problem we are addressing, and solving, as a company," said Greg Writer, CEO of Children's Technology Group.
CTG is a leading provider in kid-safe software and offers the following basic safety guidelines for parents to discuss with their kids.
Basic Cyberspace Rules:
-- Don't talk to strangers.
-- Never give out your address or other personal information.
-- Always check with a parent before ordering anything online.
-- Surf and learn with your child; make a list of favorite Web sites that you both enjoy visiting.
-- Know with whom your child is interacting when using e-mail and chat rooms. Get acquainted with you child's online buddies.
-- Use the parental controls available through your online service, such as filters, to control surfing and e-mail usage. If such a service isn't available, demand it or subscribe to an Internet safety tool.
Visitors to the Children's Technology Group Web site can find a host of useful Internet safety resources to combat these dangers, including Garfield Island, a one-of-a-kind online kid-safe Web browser suite developed by CTG in collaboration with Garfield's creator, Jim Davis. This Internet safety tool is a community software suite of Internet-safe applications complete with a Web browser, closed e-mail and instant messaging, secure chat rooms, games, and other fun content for kids.
Garfield Island gives parents total control over the features needed to protect their whole family, with a customized separate account from www.momsanddads.com. Here parents can set filter levels, program personalized encouraging messages, and add their own preapproved sites to CTG's exclusive "include list" of authorized family-safe sites.
The dangers of the Internet are far from being eliminated, but you can protect your family easily by being a knowledgeable parent. Educating yourself and your children about the harsh realities of the Internet and the security tools and resources available to you are one great defense. Arming yourself with software such as Garfield Island lets you take charge of your family's safety when surfing the Internet.
