Kids Pornography and Internet

[Vorlin]

It's unfortunate that 50% of that "fact sheet" is complete and utter crap and easily shot-down. 100% chance of meeting a pedophile in a chat room? So you're telling me, that if a kid went into the AO Security Chat, that they have a 100% chance of meeting a pedophile? *buzzer sound here* WRONG. How about the facts about 10-17 year-olds have "sexual solicitation online"? I've seen quite a few of these "random" chat rooms where teenagers are in there trying to show off how much they know sexually and it's laughable. Notice, the fact pins it all on the "predator", not the fact that the "10-17" might have started it.

"Computer bulletin boards set up explicitly for the seduction of children"...where are these? I've been online for 15 years now and I have yet to be "lured into one of those by games".

Yes, pornography to kids is a bad thing as it can set off the wrong image. However, once they become a teenager, don't think for a minute that them going to school is any less of a threat. It's a proven fact that they do more than you know AT school with friends because of peer pressure, the want to do something new, etc etc. Computers simply add to that. Take the girl that was found strangled (she was 13 or 14 I think). Everyone wanted to blame the illegal brazilian 40 year old guy that did it, but in fact, they didn't want everyone to know she was on AIM every night under one of FOUR screen names of which at least 2 were "of a promiscuous nature". It's a fine line and 5 minutes of education can be amazing.

If you're a parent on here looking for ways to keep your kid under watch, do this:

1: move the computer from their bedroom into the kitchen/dining room area. No doors to close, easy to watch, etc etc.
2: learn what a Linksys 1-port DSL/Cable router can do for you. It's got everything you want on it, including filtering, time limitations, passwords, etc etc. Lock it down except for when you're home by time.
3: educate yourself about what it can and can't do. Learn where the IM program they use keeps logs. Too bad windows doesn't have a method to send logs/etc to another machine. Maybe it does, but if the destination PC is off, I don't know how that would be handled by windows. Your kid will learn to just screw around on the PC and figure out in one day more than you can in a month. Get with the program now.
4: don't bank on truth in every article like the one quoted. Sure it's got valid facts, but a lot of it's blown out of proportion and possibly just a fake fact.
5: once a week, go through everything. Router logs, IM logs, etc etc. Lock down the PC so nothing new can be installed (create user accounts for them), etc.

[bimmer]

it is a serious problem, but for sure there's kinda software to limit access for adult sites.
even if u did, u won't be able to check the kids email, lots of spam full of adult materials.

i think the best way is to raise ur kids well, build a good trust , and keep a good relation so they'll be telling u anything, .... act as a friend in these Situations.
otherwise, i don't think u would control the kids 100%, coz if they didn't do it at home, they'll do it out.

[valhallen]

porn is never gonna go away just gotta learn to live with it
I used to actually work with a group who attempted to make contact with such predators by posing in chatrooms as the prey then passing the details along to the appropriate agencys but it was an almost impossible task!
for every person we managed to gather enough info about there was prolly another 8 in the room

oh and paladin
u so uber-l337

yUck !

SwEEt aNgEL !

yOU sOUNd lIke my MuM..........

lONg Long time AgO....

/me shakes head

v_Ln

[bilo86]

who cares??!! its porn, ive been looking at it since i first got on the internet, about 7 years ago, im 16 now. we were born naked.

[Noia]

I say: Let's have a good ol' Burnin' at the stake!
Children are inocent and should be keept safe. It's sick...

- Noia

[fourdc]

So before the internet crisis....

The parent would drop the the 10 & 11 year old off at the video arcade and then do his/her grocery shopping. Some perv would try to pick them up there.

Raising a child takes all the help a parent can get, however, in the end the parent must face the responsibility. An open trusting relationship with the children is a must. I was chewed out by a guidance counselor when my fourth grader asked me if I had done drugs and I told her the truth and said yes. Of course, I thought it was a great time to be truthful and face my mistakes and embarrasment and explain to my daughter that because I made stupid mistakes 20 years ago she didn't have to and maybe she could learn from my mistakes. The GC said I should have lied.

The history and cache of a computer give an idea of what your child is thinking or wondering, what a wonderful way to help your child get the information that he/she needs.

[sweet_angel]

Well, how old is he? I mean, if he hasn't reached puberty yet, then it's obviously going to be a problem

Sorry forgot to tell you guys this group ( 5 people) their age from 9-11 years old

[carenath]

Originally posted here by Tedob1
i find these figures too hard to believe. Maybe its just my browsing habits or the fact that i don't have children or brothers and sisters myself but i think this group is trying to prove the need for its own existance. im not saying its not a problem i just don't believe its THAT big of a problem.


Hmmm... While the facts might be exagerated, they are true to some extend. Do I personally think it is that big of a problem? No, not really. Personally I think that there are parents out there that are offended by ANY type of nudity (or near nudity) who specificaclly look for some thing to prove their case. A good example is the bible. How many of you could make a good case that it is "just a collection of fairy tales to teach right form wrong" and how many could point to it as a fact???

What I believe in taht respect is irrelevant. Fact or "fiction" it has its own power.
If parents allow a child on a computer its their responsibility to watch what they're doing. There's plenty of filtering software if they can't be bothered but they can't go blamming the internet for their own neglect.

The internet in general wasn't designed for children to play in. maybe someday they'll be a domain safe for children. but until that happens parents should realize that its a wild and wooly place and they better watch what their kids are doing instead of blaming the rest of the world when something bad happens. Everybody knows! there is no excuse!

No, the internet was NOT designed for children to play in.... but it DID evolve into something that anyone can access with the right equipment and programs. Will it ever be a safe domain for kids? Unfortunately probably not. But as you point out, PARENTS need to accept responsibility for their kids actions. Not the internet, not the government And especially not the schools (even though they try to take responsibility away from the parents with rules and regulations). A common reference to law is that "ignorance of the law is no excuse." Just because a parent didn't KNOW a child was accessing questionable sites or pornographic sites, does not excuse them of their responsibility of monitoring their child and making sure they are following the accepted "rules of the house."

Originally posted here by fourdc
The computer and the internet is a tool. Parents who give their children unlimited, unsupervised access to the internet are asking for trouble. A chain saw is a tool, how many parents allow a child unlimited, unsupervised accces to a chain saw.


Yes the internet is a tool, and a chainsaw is a tool. And the allegory is accurate for both.
'Nough said on that (i.e. I agree)
It's not an innocent world. Parents cannot expect the government or society to protect their children. they need to educate and arm themselves.


For this please see the previous section of my reply.


I have two teen agers, they don't have TVs in their rooms, they don't have internet in their rooms. The family's computer is in the living room. I don't spy but I can't help but see the monitor.

I don't snoop their rooms, but occasionally put away their laundry. Those parents of the columbine students who recognized bomb parts in their kids room and did nothing were amazing.

People need to take responsibility, personally.

YES!!!!!!!!!! Parents NEED to take responsibility for their child or childrens actions. When you fail to monitor your children, you set yourself up for a VERY big disappointment. Case in point: The number of teen pregnancies that occurred during the 80's and 90's.

Parents: Rather than blaming society or schools or the government for what your children access, see, and learn, Blame yourselves for being so complacent that you allow OTHERS to dictate what is right for your child or not right.!!!!!!!!!! I mean- JESUS-

You've given the schools, and the government the right to determine if your child can engage in sex , access the "accepted" forms of birth control (i.e. condoms, teh pill, and abortion) and ALL without the consent of the parents... is it no WONDER that kids can access porn on the internet without you knowlege or consent?????

[vanman]

Guys this is pure and simple.If you allow your kids to use the net..take the necesary precausions..otherwise accept the consequenses.I do not need to tell you what this could lead to.

[ii-monk]

Phat_Penguin, if block these sites and you have told this to your children then it's ok, but if you do it without letting them know it, then you force them to search for more "extreme" way to explore the world called "SEX". I agree with you to block some sites, but let them know. If they are old enough they won't go their, but if they are from 10 to 13 then you have the right to protect them even without knowing that.
Some months ago a parent-cracker have cracked a porno-site and left in the site a letter, saying good things, it was the first time i have ever rewarded cracking of a site.