http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cV1ZCF4oueQ
It was Internet safety day yesterday, and while I didn’t get to writing a post about it, I came across something that is aimed at children which worried me.
I am pretty vigilant with my boys lives online, which is probably a bit hypocritical considering how large my own online footprint is these days, but that probably makes me more aware of the possibilities.
My two had joined the growing army of young children who were playing Roblox. I would ask that all parents whose young children use it to exercise caution. Please research the reviews well and use the forums before you decide to allow your children to use it. I would recommend that this site be used for over 16’s and possibly over 18’s.
Obviously it is up to each parent to decide what their children have access to online, but I would stress to do your homework around the online world style games offered to children.
When I first read the access request, I felt reassured that it was similar to the Penguin Club style interaction which keeps it safe for children, but it is very different indeed.
Moving on to the positive, there is a yearly campaign that helps promote safer use of the Internet among children and young adults.
This year they ran with the tagline:
“Connecting generations and educating each other, with the slogan: “Discover the digital world together… safely!”
This videos I have attached to this post are quite powerful.
Our children and young adults can be easily led. We wouldn’t open our front doors to children and let strangers in, yet we don’t monitor our children enough online to ensure that they don’t open a portal to their safety bubble through the online world.
Be aware – check what your children are accessing, and who they are talking to. Try it out for yourself when they ask for access to a new Internet game or craze as that is the only way you are going to know if it is age appropriate or not.
