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Child
Safety on the Information Highway
What
Are the Risks?
There
are a few risks for children who use online services. Teenagers
are particularly at risk because they often use the computer
unsupervised and because they are more likely than younger
children to participate in online discussions regarding
companionship, relationships, or sexual activity. Some risks
are:
- Exposure
to Inappropriate Material - One risk is that a child may
be exposed to inappropriate material of a sexual or violent
nature.
- Physical
Molestation - Another risk is that, while online, a
child might provide information or arrange an encounter that
could risk his or her safety or the safety of other family
members. In a few cases, pedophiles have used online
services and bulletin boards to gain a child's confidence
and then arrange a face-to-face meeting.
- Harassment
- A third risk is that a child might encounter E-mail or
bulletin board messages that are harassing, demeaning, or
belligerent.
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