Quote:
Originally Posted by lhicks
Need some help with explain the risk and possible cosequences for yp's using the internet and mobile phones and advice on ways to reduce risk
|
Hi
here are a few more:
hope it helps you
Lynne
An explanation of the risks and possible consequences for children and young people of being online and of using mobile phone.
The Byron review states that only1% of children between the ages of 8-17 do not have some form of internet access, so therefore 99% of children/young people are at risk or could suffer possible consequences of being online. Here are some examples of the risks and consequences of being online/mobile phone using:
• Predators find young children to talk to on social networking, blogs, chat rooms, instant messaging, e-mail and other websites. They show the victim affection, kindness, attention and listen to them especially to sympathize with issues that they have. The predators find’s information about their victims, such as interests, hobbies, music, names, places they might go etc. The predators can gradually introduce sexual context into their conversations or they could show them explicit materials, a webcam could also be used for explicit means of showing sexual acts, this could all lead up to face to face contact between the predator and the victim, because children/young people are placed in a very vulnerable way whilst using the internet. Most mobiles now have internet access. This can also include Sms (written messaging) and mms (photos or pictures). The consequences for the victim could be very horrific they can get physically harmed, kidnapped, used for sexual purposes (rape, sexual assault, under age sex, pressurised into sex or sex acts).
• Anyone can become a victim of On-line bullying (cyberbullying). This can be from people that you know or who are unknown to them. Cyberbullying includes a wide range of unacceptable behaviour including harassment, threats or insult’s, this can be racist bullying, homophobic bullying or bullying related to special educational needs or disabilities. But the perpetrator does this online and not face to face. The consequences for the victim is for them to have low self-esteem, low confidence, distressed and feeling that their own home space has been violated (nowhere is safe).
A description of ways of reducing risk to children and young people from:
Social networking.
• Talk to the children/young people about predators about never talking to strangers, meeting them etc.
• Use control systems that are built into windows 7 or windows vista or download it free from sites such as Windows Live Family Safety Settings.
• Restrict access to social networking sites. Most social networking sites have age limits so make sure they adhere to this. As children become older help them to find sites that are well-monitored and are especially for children.
• Monitor which social network sites that they visit and the content of the conversations that are taking place.
• Take an interest on what your child is doing on the social networking website.
Internet use.
• Filter out sexual images.
• Monitor children’s online activity and block site’s that are inappropriate.
• Limit the amount of time the child/young person spends online. Block their ability to send out personal information.
• Use browsers that are specially designed for child/young person’s e.g. Surf safely, Yahoo’s (web guide for kids) and Ask Jeeves kids.
• Talk to children/young adults about not trusting others, not to meet people in person, do not give out personal information (names, numbers, address, e-mail, photos or school information), log out if uncomfortable about anything.
• Encourage the children/young people to be aware of the risks of the internet.
• Encourage children/young people to talk to you about things that might be happening on-line and guide them in the right direction. This will help them to recognise the dangers that could develop.
• Place the computer in a main room where you can supervise the use and support them whilst they are using the computer on-line.
The Byron review was published in 2008. Key points are:
• Parents will hold the key role.
• video games must now be clearly labelled with age ratings (from 3 years to adult, a logo on the back of the game to represent each age group).
• Computers sold for home use should be kitemarked with parental control measures (software).
• They also set up an awareness campaign on child internet services and behaviour.
• Schools should have an acceptable use policy in place.(ofsted will monitor this).
Buying online.
• There is a risk of others hacking into your computer to get your identity this can be minimised by a firewall. A firewall can help by preventing hackers or malicious software from gaining access to your information
• There is a risk to young persons of fraud (your card details being used by an unauthorised users) whilst buying online. This can be prevented by using a secure payment system (PayPal), this enables you to buy from multi online shops and pay using one account set up by PayPal, so money is only exchange through the purchaser and PayPal (you pay PayPal and PayPal pays the online company). A PayPal account is set up and verified by PayPal they take two small payments from your debit card to verify that you are who you say you are, then you can use the account via a password system.
Using a mobile phone.
• There is a risk to their health by means of cancer/tumour, they can reduce the risk by using landline phones, hands free, loud speakers or blue tooth. If the phone is held a few inches away from the ear or less time made on phone calls perhaps use text messages instead of ringing a friend, this can make a difference.
• A risk of them being attacked if they have expensive phones (I-phone 4). Buy a cheap pay as you go phone for them to use at school or clubs this will minimise the risk and still allow the child/young person to have access to a phone.