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Children & Computers - What are they up to?

Technology advances at such speed it is difficult for people outside the industry to keep pace - the exception is that very large, very 'quick-on-the-uptake' group - children ('digital natives' if you want the latest term).

Adults (so-called 'digital immigrants') who are responsible for children need to have an understanding of technology trends - the issues, opportunities and potential dangers.

Search and find almost anything
The quickest way to find information on the internet is to use a search engine like google.com. A search engine trawls through websites, quickly finding those that contain the search words that have been entered. Search engines are a great for tracking down information for a homework project, but innocent searches can return alarming results. For example a search for the words 'fun toys' will return internet sites containing children toys and also adult sex toys.

More than just friends
Dating sites, ie: www.nzdating.com and www.findsomeone.co.nz are popular ways for people to connect. Children have easy access to this world of adult relationships and once online, those who prey on children have easy access to them. It is also easy for children to find their way into prisoner pen pal sites and fetish sites.

Something for nothing is everywhere!
The internet is a great place to find free stuff: Videos, music, games, software and images that can be downloaded for use on computers, music devices (ie: iPods and other MP3 Players) and mobile phones. There are some potential risks:
1.    Downloading copyrighted material is illegal.
2.    Music or video files are often very large - they'll quickly blow out your internet usage plan and may clock up the bills.
3.    Many downloads come with hidden nasties like Adware and Spyware. Adware self installs annoying popup advertisements. Spyware also self installs and secretly collects and distributes information about you.

Socialising, but not as it used to be
Using the internet for social networking is the latest trend. New technology has created inexpensive ways for people to contact each other. Along with the good, comes the bad like internet sexual predators, bullying and malicious use (like the posting of unflattering pictures). Here are some types of tech-based socialising:
1.    A blog (short for Web log) is a personal online journal. This can include pictures that others can see on an internet site. The author of a blog is often called a blogger. Check out www.bebo.com and www.myspace.com to experience it yourself.
2.    Podcasting is the internet distribution of audio or video files, such as radio programs and music videos. A blog or podcast can be on anything. Check this out www.youtube.com.
3.    Online chat enables two-way or group typing to connect users to each other.  When you're in a chat area, it's easy to forget that you are in a public "place" and that you don't necessarily know the true identity of anyone in the chat room. Some chat rooms have moderators who keep an eye on things, many don't.
4.    Instant Messaging Service (IMS) is like chat, except that it's usually one-to-one and there is never anyone else monitoring activity. When a child is instant messaging someone it's as if the two are together in a private room. For more information, check out www.msn.com and www.skype.com.

Safety with online shopping
If you have access to a credit card and the internet you can pretty much buy anything. Shopping online is convenient and provides global access to products that may be otherwise unavailable. There is a risk of being scammed or defrauded by the supplier and parents also need to be aware that children can easily 'authorise' credit card purchases without signature or visual verification, simply by inputting basic card details of number, name on card and expiry date.

With the internet more than with any other medium, the advice is stay informed, discuss technology and set ground rules for keeping children safe.