November 2006 Newsletter
AN INTERNET QUIZ
This month KSEG is going to offer you a short quiz on some important 'need to know' internet statistics. As we enter the holiday season that means school vacation and lots of downtime for your children, spending time at home and friends' homes or just hanging out. It's not just important that you monitor your child's use of the internet, it's essential! Unknowingly, as safe as our children think they may be on the internet, websites (like MySpace and Xango) and chat rooms make them extremely vulnerable to predators. For example, your child's friend can innocently give out some contact information - a home address, place of work, after school activity, school they attend, group they belong to, place they hang out, etc. - which would enable someone to track them down very easily.
I recommend, if you haven't done so already, that you watch Dateline's "To Catch A Predator" series next time it is broadcast (Friday evenings) and see what potential dangers exist that can compromise your child’s safety via the internet. It will give you some incredible insight and is quite informative as to how predators operate and some of their tactics.
INTERNET QUIZ
1) ____ percent of teens between the ages of 12 and 17 use and are on the internet regularly.
a. 23%
b. 35%
c. 54%
d. 87%
2) ____ percent of teens are not online due to either a bad experience, are concerned about internet safety or are just not interested.
a. 5%
b. 13%
c. 20%
d. 46%
3) K-12 students spend ____ percent more time on the internet than with friends.
a. 5%
b. 10%
c. 15%
d. 20%
4) ____ percent of all teens have visited inappropriate places on the internet and ____ percent have gone to these types of sites more than twice.
a. 10%-- 5%
b. 15%--10%
c. 35%--10%
d. 50%--20%
5) ____ percent of teens say that they do things on the internet that they wouldn't want their parents to know about.
a. 18%
b. 23%
c. 45%
d. 64%
6) ____ percent of teens that have been asked either to keep their internet friends a secret, to meet an "internet friend", or have actually gone to meet the stranger face to face.
a. 6%
b. 12%
c. 22%
d. 30%
7) ____ percent of teens are online more than 8 hours per week.
a. 3%
b. 5%
c. 11%
d. 24%
8) ____ percent of teens like to be alone while surfing the internet.
a. 15%
b. 28%
c. 35%
d. 54%
9) ____ percent of teens believe their parents would either express concern, restrict their internet use, or take away their computer if they knew they were surfing the internet.
a. 6%
b. 17%
c. 26%
d. 37%
10) ____ percent of teens trust the people they chat with on the internet.
a. 15%
b. 22%
c. 31%
d. 40%
Today's technology sometimes vastly outpaces our ability to keep up with it. In the dash to go high-tech during the past two decades, parents have given their kids 'cars' ( i.e., computers) and an International Highway (i.e., the internet) and allowed them to go driving - usually alone and for lengthy periods of time - without any safety lessons or cyber seatbelt. The realities of the internet mandate that everyone - young and mature - be made aware of the dangers and responsibilities. But, it is especially imperative that everything possible be done to ensure and safeguard the integrity of our children's lives online. Every parent must become aware of the cyber world in which their children live, play, socialize, and navigate. They also need to become aware of the online dangers that pose threats to our children. Unfortunately, the "Bad Guys" literally have at their fingertips the means and ability to reach our children even within the sanctity of our own homes, as they are very computer savvy. Since the internet is here to stay, what can we parents do to protect our children?
Well, we can educate ourselves and create safety strategies just as we do in all other aspects of our daily lives. To help you, KSEG has created the SAFE KIDZ KIT. Four important software programs are included as one part of the important safety information in the kit, to help you monitor and track your child's internet usage, learn internet buzz words, etc. This allows you to understand the language kids are using and be as informed as possible as a parent, to help make your child as "Internet Predator Proof" as possible. The kit also includes an important internet contract for both you and your child to agree upon and sign.
Be sure to visit our products page and order a SAFE KIDZ KIT for each of your children. Our Kit contains all the necessary important information and tools every parent needs to help create both a safer home environment and safer kids. We just made the job of child safety a whole lot easier for you!
Contact us either by email, glenn@wseg.org, or call us at 1-800-318-8037 to book a KSEG Program near you. Our program can be held by your group or organization as a fundraiser too! Ask us for details.
ANSWERS: 1-a, 2-b, 3-b, 4-b, 5-d, 6-d, 7-c, 8-d, 9-d, 10-d. How did you do?
Source: Pew Internet & American Life Project and other studies on teens ages 12-17, Nov. 2004
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:
Make it a point to visit my new weekly safety podcast program, the "MR. SAFETY SHOW", at www.SafetyMattersRadio.com, committed to bringing you the best and latest safety information available. Learn effective, common-sense safety tips, everyday safety strategies, important 'need to know' safety information, enjoy interviews with a variety of safety experts and much more.
Mark Spencer, M.A., S.A.F.E.
© Copyright 2006 S.A.F.E. All rights reserved