Assessing the Risks


Searching and browsing is how we all navigate online, and, as evidenced by research by the Pew Internet & American Life Project shown in Table 12-1, it has become a critically important way for us to get the information we need.

Table 12-1. The Growing Role of the Internet in Decision-Making

Number of Americans for whom the Internet was crucial or important at major moments (in millions)

Activity

2005

2002

Gotten additional training for your career

21

14

Helped another person with a major illness or medical condition

17

11

Chosen a school or college for yourself or your child

17

12

Bought a car

16

13

Made a major investment or financial decision

16

11

Found a new place to live

10

7

Changed jobs

8

7

Dealt on your own with a major illness or other health condition

7

5

Sources: Pew Internet & American Life Project March 2005 survey. N=1,450 for Internet users. The January 2002 survey contained 1,415 Internet users. The margin of error is ±3% for the sample of Internet users in both surveys.


However, there are millions of Web sites online. While a large percentage of these sites might be excellent resources, there is no universal quality assurance guarantee. You must rely on your trust of the Web site owner and the strength of your technology tools (content filters; anti-phishing, antivirus, and anti-spyware programs; pop-up blockers; and so on) for your safety. (Refer to the "Technology Toolkit" section in Part Four for more information on available tools.)

Usually, when we browse, we end up at the site we intended to go to, see the content we expect, and interact with legitimate businesses and well-intentioned people. However, the hazard of browsing is that you or your child might land on a site that has inappropriate content, be redirected to an inappropriate site, or provide personal information on a site that will misuse it. It is also possible that you will unknowingly down-load spyware, malware, or computer viruses while browsing a less reputable site.

Taking a Closer Look at the World of Online Pornography

Teens (ages 12 to 17) view more Internet pornography than any other segment of the population, but just because your child was directed to a pornographic site does not mean they were searching for pornography or that they viewed it intentionally. Data suggests that 90 percent of kids between 8 and 16 have seen pornography while browsing, but many say they were working on homework at the time. Table 12-2 gives an overview of how often children are exposed to pornography online (adapted from Family Safe Media: www.familysafemedia.com/pornography_statistics.html).


Table 12-2. Children's Exposure to Pornography

Exposure

Age/Percentage

Average age of first Internet exposure to pornography

11 years old

Largest consumer of Internet pornography

12 to 17 age group

15- to 17-year-olds having multiple hard-core exposures

80%

8- to 16-year-olds having viewed porn online

90% (most while doing homework)

Youths who receive sexual solicitations on social networking sites like chat rooms

89%

Youths who receive sexual solicitations in a year

20%


What kind of browsing practices can have these results? In a survey of kids and online pornography conducted by Family Safe Media (www.familysafemedia.com), kids encountered offensive images most often

  • While surfing (47 percent)

  • When they had misspelled Web addresses (17 percent)

  • When they clicked on a link in a Web site (17 percent)

Consider that there are estimated to be 4.2 million pornographic Web sites out there, and they all want you to visit them. In fact, some pornographers actually use children's favorite cartoon character names on their sites specifically so that children will find their sites in online searches.

Adults are no less at risk for seeing content they find undesirable, though they are usually less shocked and distressed by what they see or read. Given their life experiences, adults are more likely than children to simply ignore inappropriate content and move on.

Find Out More

Landing on sites that contain inappropriate material isn't the only browsing hazard. Both adults and children are often tricked into believing they are on a legitimate site and enter information that leaves them open to identity theft attacks. See Chapter 14, "Step 11: Get Savvy About Financial Scams and Fraud," for more information about Web sites that are designed to deceive.




Look Both Ways. Help Protect Your Family on the Internet
Look Both Ways: Help Protect Your Family on the Internet
ISBN: 0735623473
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2004
Pages: 157
Authors: Linda Criddle

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