Kid's Zone
Online Risks and Threats
As adults, we understand the onslaught of junk email that we receive on a daily basis to be what it is, junk email. For most, junk email has become something that we rarely pay attention to anymore, but for children and teenagers with email accounts, they are being exposed to the same junk email, including sweepstakes messages, relationship-related spam such as "meet singles online," and emails with links to X-rated web sites.
Large numbers of children who go online are encountering sexual solicitations they do not want and offensive material they did not seek. It is important to have open communication with your child about the internet, email, and potential threats.
The internet is invasive, immediate and anonymous, three factors that can be especially dangerous to children. Some possible online threats include:
Predators and pedophiles
Pornography and explicit sexual content
Hatred, racism and violence
Drugs, alcohol and tobacco
Privacy violations
Gambling
Scams, misinformation and fraud
Advertising that is highly manipulative of children
Viruses and worms