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IM and chat rooms pose risks to kids
By Christina Quick | February 7, 2008
Parents concerned about social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace shouldn’t overlook the dangers associated with chat rooms and instant messaging, a report released this week warns.
Corresponding through chat rooms and IM may pose an even greater risk to youngsters than interacting with social networking sites, according to a study by Internet Solutions for Kids, a non-profit children’s advocacy group, and the Crimes Against Children Research Center at the University of New Hampshire.
In the survey of children ages 10 to 15, about 15 percent said they had received an unwanted sexual solicitation electronically. Of those, 43 percent said the solicitation came via instant messaging, while 32 percent said it happened in a chat room. Only 4 percent reported such incidents on social networking sites.
In addition, 55 percent said they had been bullied or harassed through instant messaging, compared to 9 percent who reported harassment on social networking sites.
The study’s authors note that the results should not be interpreted to mean social networking sites are safe for kids. Technically, children and young teens are barred from many of these sites. MySpace, for instance, requires members to be at least 14, though it is easy for kids to lie about age. Even if age-verification measures were in place, this study demonstrates there are other dangers of which parents should be aware.
“Internet safety is not just about whether your child is on MySpace or Facebook,” says Michele Ybarra of Internet Solutions for Kids. “But you also need to know what your children are doing in school, after school, at parties, at the mall, online — basically all environments in which they engage. You can’t just focus on one place and assume that your job is done.”
As technology changes, there will undoubtedly be new minefields for families to navigate. It’s a parent’s responsibility to establish boundaries and make tough decisions about what will be allowed and under what circumstances.
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