Dangers on the Internet

If you are concerned about the negative influence of society on children, then you are not alone. The Institute for American Values’ Motherhood Project found that 95 percent of mothers “wish American culture made it easier to instill positive values in children.” This is just one of hundreds of alarming statistics in Rebecca Hagelin’s new book, 30 Ways in 30 Days to Save Your Family. Her chapters on the Internet were some of the most alarming.

The London School of Economics documents that nine out of ten children who go online (often to do their homework) will view pornography. A 2006 study by the Kaiser Family Foundation shows that seven out of ten view the pornography unintentionally—at least the first time. So it seems that even when kids are acting responsibly and innocently, they still end up seeing pornography. And it seems that pornographers are using all sorts of tricks and gimmicks to get children and adults to go to their porn sites.

Put another way, 90 percent of the kids on the Internet will be seeing images that just a generation ago were only available at adult bookstores on the other side of town. Now they are merely a mouse-click away.

Rebecca also is concerned about the impact of online social networking. Researchers have found the 96 percent of children (ages 9- to 17) who have access to the Internet also have used social networking technologies. In fact, 71 percent of them use these sites on a weekly basis. While there is nothing intrinsically wrong with social networking, there is growing evidence that teens are using them unwisely.

Nearly two-thirds (64 percent) post photos or videos of themselves online. More than half (58 percent) post information about where they live, while nearly one in ten (8 percent) have posted their cell phone number online. More than two-thirds (69 percent) regularly receive personal messages online from people they don’t know. And nearly eight in ten (79 percent) of sexual solicitation incidents happened to youth while they were using their home computer.

What should parents do? Rebecca has 30 chapters of suggestions in her book, including two dealing with the Internet and social networking. It’s time for parents to get busy. I’m Kerby Anderson, and that’s my point of view.