Internet | Internet Parenting

Facebook Makes Cyber Bullying Easy

July 22, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Image via Wikipedia

Bullying is something many kids have to deal with growing up. It seems near impossible to escape the crosshairs of a bully in your life but with the internet now in nearly every home, it could be almost impossible. Traditional bullying entailed being chased home from the school or the bus stop. The internet, especially Facebook, give a fertile breeding ground for bullies who can post disparaging comments right on a child’s profile page.

There are a few categories of bully that you will want to watch out for in protecting your child. There is the “mean girls” type of bully. This group is usually made up of girls who will choose a target and berate her with recklessness and little remorse. Everything is fodder for these girls, including the way the victim looks, dresses, and who her friends are. It is a goal of “mean girls” style bullies to break a victim down mentally.

There is also the “lash out” bully. These bullies often have a troubled home life and project their unhappiness by trying to ruin the life of a student. The bully will use the same tactics used against them in their home life. Insults, hitting, and various other bullying tactics.

There is also the bully who feels neglected and is just looking for a reaction. In this scenario, the bully will usually stop if you ignore his advances. Should you choose to argue back however, he will step up the bullying to an almost relentless level. The most important thing for a child to do when bullied is to report it to a parent or school staff member. No one should suffer through bullying alone.

Filed Under: Cyper-Bullying, Internet Tagged With: bully, Cyber-bullying, Facebook

What Is Cyber Bullying?

June 18, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Image via wikipedia-sourced-bullying

With the rise of the importance of computers and the popularity of internet becoming more widespread, Cyber bullying has become more evident. A few cases have ended with the victim committing suicide. Facts about Cyber Bullying are sadly not widely known, and learning of it leaves many parents baffled with how to deal or identify it.

According to the anti-bullying website “DO SOMETHING” over 42 percent of kids and teens have reported being abused online. Oftentimes they feel as if their is no escape from being bullied as the bullies have access to the internet all the time, long after the school day has ended.

Cyber bullies don’t just lurk on social media websites. They’re in chat rooms and send threatening and demeaning emails as well. A bullies goal is always the same, to hurt and shame their victims no matter what.They don’t care about privacy, and will do almost anything to hurt their victim.

The results and feelings of being bullied are always the same, no matter if they’re being bullied at school or online. These feelings are real and have the same effect of being hunted down and hurt. It doesn’t stop when the school day ends.

Take note of what your child is doing online, and listen to them if they come forward and say their being bullied. Report this to the school, and the police. Take a strong stance against the bullying and put a stop to it before it gets worse and continues.

Filed Under: Cyper-Bullying, Internet Tagged With: bully, Cyber-bullying, Suicide

Awareness Of Internet Protection Helps Prevent Cyber Crimes

May 13, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Many countries do not have definite cyber laws to protect online users. Even if there are laws with increasing cyber crimes they are either outdated or does not cover all types of crimes. Internet protection guidelines should be created and awareness of the same should be spread among online users. This will help online users from frauds and other crimes. Every one is aware about the basic protection of filters and anti virus software’s, but there are many cyber crimes reported every day. The most common ones are theft of personal information, hacking secured information, phishing scams, and cyber stalking. There are also other serious crimes as cyber terrorism, child pornography and cyber bullying.

As there are no clear cut laws regarding these crimes in many countries, such cyber crimes are increasing every day. Creating awareness of these offenses and protecting online users has become critical. This is more so with children as more and more children are using internet for fun. Internet protection guidelines have become vital especially as crimes concerning children are increasing. Schools and other educational institutes have to actively participate in creating awareness on the importance of internet protection and safe surfing. When at home make sure you are only going to reputable sites as resources or for entertainment when you are playing poker online. This will help to increase the protection of yourself and your computer.

Many online users are not aware of phishing scams and other frauds. Creating awareness among them about these crimes is important and to prevent such future scams, reporting such scams is even more crucial. Many countries do not have a separate cyber crime division which hinders the process of reporting such scams and preventing such frauds. Other institutions such as banks and credit card companies should also promote and create awareness among their customers regarding internet protection especially while using internet banking.

Filed Under: Internet, Parenting Tagged With: Computer crime, Confidence trick, Crime

Avoiding Online Gambling Scams

April 15, 2011 by Leave a Comment

The world of the Internet has opened up many possibilities for consumers, but it has also opened up possibilities for scammers. Consumers need to take steps to protect themselves from potential scammers.

Sports betting sites and casino sites are hot spots for scams. Scammers often assume if consumers are betting or gambling they have money to steal. Scams may involve using a consumer’s identity or using a consumer’s money or bank account.

Consumers need to be sure the gaming site they are using is a reputable one. Staying away from new sites that are not well known is an excellent step to protecting yourself. It is easy to research gambling sites by asking fellow gamblers where they play or research the site online. Most of the time, if people have been scammed; they are very vocal about it and other consumers can find information on it. Consult a search engine with the name of the site.

If going anywhere on the Internet, but especially gambling sites, the computer should have spyware and antivirus software installed on it. By regularly updating their software and scanning their computers, consumers can protect themselves.

If it sounds too good to be true it probably is. Sites or consumers offering “extra programs” to help players enhance their play are usually a scam. Consumers should also steer clear of fellow gamblers who ask that money be loaned to them. Some scammers will offer to pay back the loan plus double the amount. These offers are usually scams.

Online gambling can be a fun internet activity if pursued responsibility. Follow these tips and avoid being the victim of a scam.

Filed Under: Internet Tagged With: Confidence trick, Gambling

Most Common Areas Where Cyber Bullying Occurs

February 23, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Due to modern technology and the intense use of the Internet by nearly everyone, cyber bullying is becoming an every day occurrence for some. This form of bullying is simply a step up from the old fashioned kind of bullying of the past. Instead of confronting their victims face to face, cyber bullies use the Internet and other gadgets to wreck havoc on another’s life. This is normally done by posting offensive and degrading posts on web sites that the bully knows will be visited by either the victim or by those in close contact with the victim. It is used as a way to spread negative gossip or to post photo’s that have been taken of the victim without their knowledge.

There are several places on the Internet that are most commonly used by cyber bullies. One is the many popular social networking sites. These sites are generally not monitored, so they are open to posts that can contain nearly any kind of photo’s or threatening messages. Parents can help keep their child from being the victim of a cyber bully by closely monitoring any time spent on these types of sites by their teens. If the teen has received threats and the bully is known, the parent can try letting school officials know about the situation. If the threats seem violent, the local law enforcement agency can be notified.

Other ways in which cyber bullies use modern technology to threaten their victims, is by email. Blocking the persons address is the first course that should be taken. Sometimes if the bully doesn’t receive a response, he will give up. Instant messaging is another way in which cyber bullies can send threatening messages. Again, blocking the person is a god way to stop these occurrences. Parents can help diffuse the situation by contacting teachers, and if necessary the police, in order to bring to their attention what is happening.

Filed Under: Cyper-Bullying, Internet Tagged With: Cyber-bullying, Internet

Teens and Cyber Bullying

February 16, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Unfortunately, bully’s have been around nearly since time began. They can make life miserable for those they choose to pick on, and bullying has become a world wide epidemic, especially among teenagers. In the past, most children or teens only had to fend off bullying at school or in their local neighborhoods, but modern technology is now allowing bullies to prey on their victims over the Internet, which is referred to as cyber bullying.

Cyber bullying most normally happens on the commonly used and popular social networking sites. The bully may post mean or threatening posts on the victims web page. They may also take photographs of the victim when they are unaware, and then post the photo’s online. Bullying can also occur by means of email, text messaging or instant messaging. Using the Internet to bully someone is becoming quite common, so local law enforcement officials are now paying closer attention to complaints being made by teens and/or their parents. It is important to know that at times, the bully may actually be an adult instead of someone the same age as the victim. If this is the case, the adult may be charged with stalking, along with a variety of other charges.

Teachers, parents and others that are trying to protect victims of cyber bullying are using new resources to catch the bully and try to put a stop to the situation. Teachers are well aware of the bullying that tends to happen at middle and high schools, so it is very helpful to use their experience and insight regarding the matter of cyber bullying. Parents can help too, by always maintaining good communications with their teens. Monitoring the sites that the teen visits online can help.

Filed Under: Cyper-Bullying, Internet Tagged With: Bullying, Cyber-bullying, Instant messaging

Growing Pains and First Computers for Kids

February 16, 2011 by Leave a Comment

The times have definitely changed since the days when most of us were children. Computers are now the rule rather than the exception and kids are relying on technology and computer usage and skills for school and social interaction more today than ever before. This leaves the family computer the most sought after and fought over piece of equipment in the house. This is why more and more families are making the investment in a second PC for the home.

With this additional computer though come additional concerns and worries – especially with the potential dangers involved in allowing children to spend time online. The first thing you need to consider when purchasing a computer for your children is that even though the price tags have gone down significantly, computers are still investments that need to be protected.

In addition to buyer protection plans that extend the warranties of computers you should also consider investing in tools to protect against viruses like PC Tools antivirus program, clean registries, and monitor the activity of your children while online. The combination of these three things can greatly improve the safety of your children while online as well as the life of your computer.

Keep these things in mind as well to make the process as painless as possible for everyone involved.

1) Set ground rules for computer time and acceptable usage.

2) Monitor the activity of your children when online.

3) Keep the computer in a central location so that children do not have unsupervised time online.

4) Pay attention to the behavior of your children while surfing the Internet. Specifically look for signs of distress.

5) Block sites you feel are not appropriate for your children.

These are small things that will make your child’s first computer experience a pleasant one for the entire family.

Filed Under: Internet, Parenting Tagged With: Anti-Virus, Child, PC Tools

Internet Safety

February 8, 2011 by Leave a Comment

The internet is such an important part of our lives today that we take certain things for granted. We expect that our children understand how to use the internet safely and not wind up getting themselves in some kind of trouble. However, they may not understand exactly what they need to do to remain safe while surfing the web.

Probably the most important lesson you can teach your child is that of privacy. They need to understand that you do not tell people you meet on the internet private things about yourself or your family. This includes your real name, what school you go to, where you live, or any other facts about yourself.

Children who understand this are much less likely to find themselves in a compromising position with someone they meet on the internet. There may be a case where your child does meet a friend on the internet that they want to meet in real life. This is a situation that you need to handle as a family. If you do decide to allow them to meet an online friend you should find a way for you and your child to meet this friend in a public place.

Make sure you meet this other child’s parents too, so that you can all be certain you are on the same page. Just because you meet a friend on the internet doesn’t mean that you can’t one day be “real life” friends too, anyone who does this simply needs to be very careful so they do not wind up in a situation that is not as it may seem.

Your child may be aggravated at you for having rules and guidelines about internet safety but you only have their best interests in mind. When they get a bit older they will certainly understand why you worried and will be very glad that you did.

Filed Under: Internet, Security Tagged With: Child, Facebook, Internet safety

What is Sexting?

February 1, 2011 by Leave a Comment

An increasingly more common behavior that many parents find their children engaging in is what is called sexting. This is when teens are sending nude pictures and erotic messages to other teens via text messages.

There have been several major cases where girls sent nude or almost nude pictures of themselves to other students.

This can be more than a moral dilemma, many people have faced child pornography charges because they kept the pictures that were sent to them. There was a case where a teenager spent time in jail after his football coach caught him with nude pictures on his cell phone.

Surveys have found that around 20 percent of teens admit to sexting. This is a dangerous activity not just because of the legal aspects but because it can lead to sexual encounters that the teens may not be ready for.

A picture that is sent to one recipient can quickly spread like wild fire through a school. There have been many cases where a teen only meant the picture to go to one person but soon the entire school has seen them nude.

If you have not had a talk with your teens about this behavior, you should take the time to talk with them about what you expect. If you catch your children engaging in this risky behavior, you should consider taking away their cell phone privileges and make sure that all the offending material is deleted so that it cannot come back and cause problems in the future.

Many teens simply don’t understand the risks that sexting can pose. You need to make it clear that this is not behavior that you approve of, and give them examples of what has happened in many of these cases. This can be a great way to connect with your teen and help them make choices, not just now but for the rest of their lives.

Filed Under: Internet, Security Tagged With: Adolescence, Child pornography, Sexting