Are your kids safe online?

While the Internet has opened up a world of possibilities for children, expanding their horizons, increasing their knowledge and exposure to new things, this infinite world of information also exposes them to many dangers.
Whether kids use the Internet for searching info, gaming, downloading videos, music, pictures, or just chatting, almost any online activity can put them into trouble. The growing access to Internet in almost every urban household has only increased the vulnerability of kids.
A recent survey conducted by a UK-based agency UKCGO, reveals that kids indulge in many unsafe activities, without the knowledge of their parents. One third of 9 - 19 year old users said they have received unwanted sexual or nasty comments online, although only 7% parents are aware of it. About 46% say that they have given out personal information to someone they met online, 30% have made an online 'friend' and 8% say they have even met face-to-face with someone whom they first met online.

In such a scenario, how do you ensure your child's safety on the Net? How do you know when his online activities cross certain limits and need to be checked? Here are some questions that could help you assess if your child is at risk:

o Does your child spend long hours spent on the Internet, especially at night or when you are away?
o Have you ever discovered 'objectionable' pictures or video on your child's computer?
o Does he get long-distance phone calls from people or numbers that you don't recognize?
o Has your child got gifts or packages from someone you don't know?
o Does he turn the computer monitor off or change the screen when you enter the room?
o Is your child gradually becoming withdrawn from the family?
If the answer to most of the above questions is 'yes' then you need to press the 'panic' button and take immediate action to protect your child. Completely forbidding kids from going online would be an extreme step and does not usually work in the long run. Therefore, the best way to handle such situations is to adopt a friendly approach and first talk to your child to understand things.
It is very important to educate children about the potential dangers on the Net and the consequences of some of their online activities. Give them a chance to rectify things on their own. Motivate them into more 'intelligent' ways of using online resources for their school projects, homework or just reading and learning about new things happening around the world. It is also important to encourage them to maintain a healthy balance with other creative activities like art, music, sports or literature. As kids become more responsible in their online behaviour,