Program Aims To Protect Kids From Online Predators

But what technology made possible it can also cure. A new tool for moms and dads can allow them to make sure that the person at the other end of the web computer is actually who they say they are.

It’s called “Net I.D. Me” and it purports to verify that the person your kids encounter online is really who they’re supposed to be.

The company, based in Scotland, requires would-be customers to apply by hard copy and their information is rigorously checked before anyone is approved.

“What we’re trying to do is verify that the person is who they say they are,” C.E.O. Alex Hewitt explains . “It’s the same as applying for a passport.”

Parents, who are already wary about what their kids are doing online, are cautiously optimistic that the program will work as advertised.

“I would love to have that. I would pay to have that,” proclaims Deborah Crane, a mother of two. “I have a lot of fear that, you know, something could happen. Teenagers and children, they’re vulnerable, and they can get sucked into quite a bit, and it’s quite scary.”

Dexter Stewart is one of those teenagers. He admits his friends don’t always practice safe computing. 

“It’s very dangerous out there,” he agrees. “Because they just talk to people they don’t know, and that’s dangerous ’cause they could be anybody.”

“Once they go into the chat rooms, they’re like a sitting duck,” confirms Peel Police Det. Gerry Harnden.

But the program isn’t free and it’s not perfect.

It costs $20 a year Canadian for a subscription and is only as effective as the number of people who join it. So far, there’s only about 700 – and they’re mostly in the U.K.

To find out more about the Net I.D. Me, click here.

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If you can’t weed out the predators, you can at least ensure your family knows what it’s doing on the web. Here’s a checklist parents, teens and kids can use to test how web savvy they are – and what they need to learn to keep the bad guys out.

Checklist for parents
(The preferred answer is ‘yes’. But if you respond with a no, you should reconsider how you’re monitoring your kids online.)

Are you involved in your kids’ online activities? Do you know what they are doing and who they are talking to when they are on the Internet?

Does your family have a set of rules or an agreement for appropriate Internet use?

Do your kids know to ask permission before submitting any personal information online? This includes: when using e-mail, chat rooms or instant messaging, filling out registration forms and personal profiles, and entering online contests.

Do you try to not be too critical of your kids’ activities on the Net and use their Internet experiences as an opportunity to discuss inappropriate content, trust and responsibility?

Do you make Internet use a family activity by guiding your kids to good sites and teaching them how to do safe, effective searches?

Have you taught your kids not to believe everything they read online and to check online information with an adult or with another source?

If your child accesses the Internet from school or your local library, are you familiar with their acceptable use policies?

Do you look at the privacy policies on the commercial Web sites your kids visit to check what kind of personal information is gathered and if it may be sold to another party?

To make your monitoring job easier, have you placed your connected computer in a well-used public area of your house, such as a family room or kitchen?

If your child has her/his own Web site, have you checked to make sure it doesn’t contain personal information that will identify her or him?

Have you talked to your kids about responsible online behaviour? Do they understand that stealing from Web sites, downloading pirated software, making online threats and
hacking are illegal activities?

Checklist for teens
(The preferred answer is ‘yes’. Any ‘no’ responses should have you reconsidering your actions.)

I know how to protect my privacy on the Internet by not sharing personal details in chatrooms, newsgroups or instant messaging. This includes my name, gender, age, address, e-mail address, telephone number, picture, credit card information or passwords.

I talk to my parents about what I’m doing online and who I chat with.

I read the privacy policies on Web sites before filling out online registration or contest forms to make sure they will not be sharing my information.

If I encounter disturbing material or harassing messages online, I don’t respond. I tell a parent or another adult and my Internet Service Provider.

If I am planning to meet an online acquaintance in real life, I get permission from a parent first. I arrange the meeting for a public place and I don’t go alone.

I try to confirm that online information is correct by finding out more about the author and by checking it against other sources.

I respect others online. I never “flame” or insult others or spread gossip.

I know the following activities are illegal and I don’t practice them: hacking, making physical threats and downloading pirated software.

I respect copyright by not stealing from other Web sites or using plagiarized material for homework assignments.

I check with my parents before making financial transactions online, including purchasing, ordering or selling anything.

Checklist for kids
(The preferred response is ‘yes’. If your kids give a ‘no’ talk to them about what they should – and shouldn’t be doing online.

I ask my parents’ permission before giving out any personal information on the Internet, including: my sex, name, phone number, address, e-mail, school name, my parents’ work address/telephone numbers, credit card information, my picture and my passwords.

I only use chat rooms for kids that my parents have checked out for me.

When I’m online I always use a nickname that doesn’t reveal anything about me – including if I am a boy or girl.

If an online message makes me feel uncomfortable or frightened, I don’t respond to it. Instead I tell an adult right away.

If I want to arrange a meeting with someone I’ve met on the Internet, I tell my parents first and make sure one of them comes with me.

I treat people nicely when I’m online and never post or send rude messages or threats.

I always ask permission from the author before taking words, pictures or sounds from a Web site.

I use Web sites and search engines for kids that my parents, teacher or librarian have told me about.

I know that things I read online aren’t always true so I check the information with a parent or teacher.

I always check with an adult before opening e-mails from strangers.

Courtesy and copyright Media-Awareness.ca