On-line dangers for children

There are no regulations or controls on the material that is placed on the internet.

While there are over 3 million perfectly safe children’s sites on the net, children can unexpectedly come across material of a sexual or violent nature, language that is rude and the advertising of children’s products. Quite innocently they can bring up sites that do not relate to the topic they are looking for, or someone can send them images or messages that are not appropriate.

Therefore there are many things on-line that are not suitable for children or that are cause for concern. The main dangers to children are that they may:

• access inappropriate information
• inadvertently form ‘friendships’ with strangers
• become victims of cyberbullying
• be subjected to advertising pressures
• risk their personal health through excessive use
• endanger their privacy by revealing person details about themselves, such as their name and address.

Access inappropriate information

The search engines on the internet provide access to many sites on a given topic. Even when children are searching for ordinary everyday topics, it is possible that they might come across sites with information and/or images that could be harmful to them.

Sexually explicit material

• this could include graphic pictures and videos intended for adults
• exposure to graphic pornography can cause emotional distress to children
• if you become aware of any child pornography on-line, note any relevant details and report the matter to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). For more details see the section below - "Lodge complaints".

Violent and disturbing images

• this could include such things as crash scenes and even mortuary sites
• research has shown that violence in any form of screen media, that is, films, videos, television, computer games and the internet, can have a negative effect on children, particularly young children
• for more information about the impact of media violence, see related topics on the Young Media Australia website [http://www.youngmedia.org.au] or call the Young Media Australia Helpline on 1800 700 357.

Making purchases or gambling online

• children can easily come across sites which encourage them to purchase goods on-line
• on-line gambling. A credit card number is all it takes for someone to ‘play’.
• using 1900 numbers. Children can inadvertently accumulate very large telephone bills in a short space of time by accessing Internet Dialer numbers that transfer them to an overseas phone line.

Incorrect and inaccurate information

• children may believe that everything they see on the internet is factual
• in fact, any person can put any information they like up on the internet and there is no guarantee that the information is accurate.

Inadvertently form ‘friendships’ with strangers

It is possible that children will come into contact with people who are pretending to be children but have other motives. There is a real danger that children may:

• come into contact with paedophiles
• provide personal details to strangers
• arrange to meet friends they have made on the internet without really knowing who they are
• be harassed by email.

Become victims of cyberbullying

Cyberbullying is the use of online or mobile technology to harass or intimidate another person. Teasing, false rumours, fase messages and threats can be spread by email, in chatrooms, blogs, forums and mobile phone messages. Bullying can be done by groups or individuals who are able to remain anonymous.

Be subjected to advertising pressures

Once on the internet, children are likely to be subjected to unsolicited advertising. This could take the form of pop-up advertisements or ads embedded into particular websites. Such advertising often has bright colourful images and catchy phrases designed to put pressure on children to purchase goods on-line. A term for unsolicited advertising on the internet, the equivalent of junk mail in your letter box, is ‘spam’.

Risk their personal health through excessive use

The internet can become addictive. It is important that children do not use the internet to the exclusion of other developmentally appropriate tasks including, the need to be physically active.

Endanger their privacy

Some sites encourage children to join clubs and enter competitions. In so doing, they reveal their name and address and may become the target of unwelcome marketing and other material.

Source: http://www.youngmedia.org.au/mediachildren/06_10_internet_benefits.htm#benefits

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