Kids Instant Messaging- Are You Putting Your Child At Risk?

Teens Instant Messaging- How to Protect Your Family

RedAlert

Are your kids Instant Messaging (IM)?  Is there such a thing as safe instant messaging for kids? Are you worried about who they are communicating with? Well you should be.  Teens Instant Messaging in on the rise, 15 million youth now use Instant Messaging around the world and this is growing all the time. Instant Messaging dangers are real.

89% of sexual solicitations are made in either Chat Rooms or INSTANT MESSAGES.

75% of youth who received an online sexual solicitation did not tell a parent

Instant Messaging or IM, as it is known, is communication by sending short instant messages to friends in real time. Messages can be sent via voice, web cam, text, file and picture exchange.  Children have been quick to adapt and recognize the fun and positive value IM can have.

Unfortunately online sex predators and stalkers have taken advantage of these instant messaging sites for a number of reasons….

They are anonymous, it allows them to manipulate and potentially isolate a child by using false information, with the hope of meeting them in person or sending them objectionable content.  Online predators can contact a child through member directories and profiles and once befriended can know exactly when they are online.

Parents, there are ways to make kids instant messaging safe and minimize their risk.  There are many Instant Message Service Providers out there, so it is important to ensure your child is using a well reputed, quality service.  So how would you know?

Check your children s Instant Messaging Service for the following:

  • Clear information about what type of IM service is being offered.  Is it an open community type environment where people with similar hobbies or interests can meet and discuss them, or is it a 1 on 1 messaging service for friends and buddies.  What age group is the service aimed at?
  • A “Block” or “Ignore” function so your child can block unwanted messaging.  It must clearly describe what it is and how to use it.
  • If users are asked to give personal information from the provider, it should be extremely clear whether it will be in a public domain
  • Easily save any messages you child may want to show you or report
  • Access that allows your child to adjust their settings to increase or decrease their privacy
  • Option to only receive messages from people who they choose from their friend list
  • Information should be made easily available about keeping safe online, this should emphasize the risks of communicating with strangers and swapping personal information.  There should also be links to online safety guides or third party websites.
  • Information clearly describing what sorts of things should be reported and provide assistance on what to do with unwanted messages
  • A Contact Service to report bad behavior that is easy to find and implement
  • If a serious incident does occur the provider should have information on how to contact child protection services or law enforcement easily assessable

Education is the key

You wont stop teens instant messaging, however you can encourage safe instant messaging for kids, by following the above and most importantly educate your child about the potential online dangers of Instant Messaging they may face.  Make sure they never use their real name and never swap personal information with anyone online.  Above all if they feel something isn’t right to let you or another grown up know right away.

The only way to have Internet Safe Kids

Combined with education the only other way to completely protect your children from online dangers is to monitor what they are doing online.  Investing in some quality monitoring and recording software for your computer, is a must.  Software that records both sides of instant messages.  This will allow your kids to use the internet freely and also help put your mind at ease as well as guide you on educating your child on any unsafe instant messaging behavior you may come across.

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