That is why securing our kids, or even adults like us, is a prime concern of technology providers. Security tools are everywhere. The question is "do we have the right tool with us and/or are these tools enough?"

I have been preaching, since I started my computer career, that nothing beats instilling good moral values to our kids to protect them from the dangers the Internet brings. Majority of websites advising Internet safety always indicate that parents should be technology literate and should know what their children are doing when they are online. Being knowledgeable is the best protection.

I have been writing about the same topic for a lot of times, but never did I realize that saying it and doing it are totally different things until I came across this survey:

A new survey of children’s Internet habits reveal an alarming gap between what parents say that they are teaching their children about Internet safety and the reality of what they are doing to ensure that their kids are actually practicing these measures.

While the vast majority of youth (81.3%) say their parents have spoken with them about being safe online, they report that few of their parents actually monitor or participate in their online activity. The survey was conducted nationally in August 2007 by Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA).

In summary, the survey revealed that while young people report their parents have spoken to them about Internet safety, most say their parents don’t surf the Internet with them, don’t ask them who they are talking to online, and don’t restrict access to dangerous websites.

The technology explosion has ushered in "Generation I," the first generation to grow up with the Internet as an integral part of their everyday routine. According to the Pew Internet & American Life Project, 87 percent of youth ages 12-17 now use the Internet. In many ways, Gen I youth are light years beyond the technological abilities of their parents, presenting a challenge for their parents to keep up with them.

But new technology also breeds new threats, making it more important for parents to closely monitor their kids’ online activities. While Gen I youth are withdrawn to a new set of educational tools, they are also exposed to a host of online predators and schemes.

- Surfing the Net: Over half (52.8%) of kids said that their parents have never surfed the Internet with them. Just 12.2 percent of parents surf the Internet with their children monthly.

- Online Contacts: More than half (53.4%) of the youth surveyed said their parents never so much as inquire who they speak to online. Despite the conversations that parents may have had with children, one-third continue to be allowed access to any Website they so choose – unrestricted by rules or controlled settings.

- Restricting Websites: Two-thirds of children claim that a parent has restricted their online access to certain sites, but a mere 18.1 percent say their parents are always in the room while they are on the Internet.

- Posting Personal Info: In spite of many warnings and incidents, one-fifth of all children still post personal information on social networking sites (e.g., Facebook, MySpace) or video-sharing sites (e.g., YouTube).

"There is an inconsistency between how parents intend to protect their children online and the reality of how they are doing that," says Dan Rauzi, senior director of Technology Programs, Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

The survey may be done in America, but I am sure here in the Philippines we are not far behind. Due to the economic situation, both parents are now forced to work just to provide a good future for their children . But being busy should not be enough reason for them not to monitor their kids’ Internet activities.

Another contributor is the proliferation of Internet cafes - cafes that may not have any restrictions and may allow any users to visit any sites they want.

So let me alter my advice a bit to parents, like me, out there: tell your kids that the things they should not do online is no longer enough. We parents should be more involved. We should be with them or we should ask questions about their online activities more often.

Remember - I said asking and not inquiring. You may sound intimidating and this might discourage our kids to open up.

So parents - DO IT NOW. Better Safe than Sorry.

I am logging off. God Bless us all!

*****

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