| Ranking |
Name of the winner
|
Country |
Go to |
| 1st place winner |
Gabriela Grant |
Barbados |
Biography |
Essay |
| 2nd place
winner |
Dennis Heywood |
Guyana |
Essay |
| 3rd place winner |
Chantal Doras |
St.Kits & Nevis |
Essay |
| 4rd place winner |
Jamesa J. Fabien |
Dominica |
Essay |
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My full name is Gabriela Alexandria Grant
and I am 17 years of age. I am the last of five children,
two brothers and two sisters, who range in age from 27 to
32. I currently attend Queen’s College Secondary School in
Barbados at which I am in Sixth Form. Prior to this, I
attended the Ursuline Convent from Second Form to Fifth
Form, graduating as Valedictorian of my year in 2008 with 8
CXC’s all at grade one. Among other things, I enjoy reading,
baking, gardening, a good game of chess, socializing and, of
course, surfing the internet. Aside from the attractive
prizes, the main reason I entered the competition was
because I felt a strong need to address the issue of the
dangers to children in cyberspace. It is not enough just to
complain about it but we should also take some form of
action against those dangers which threaten those we care
about, particularly young children. This essay is my way of
taking action and giving my input in the current discussion
surrounding the protection of children in cypberspace. I am
very excited about this opportunity and intend to take full
advantage of this learning experience.
Protecting Children in Cyberspace
The first thing that came to mind after seeing the advertisement for this essay in the newspaper was an incident that occurred a few weeks ago while I was downloading music. I received a brutal shock when I clicked on one of the links to download a song, and instantly a pornography website popped up. At the same moment, my 5-year-old niece entered the room to see what I was doing.
Although I was able to close the site before she could see it, in that moments I wondered about the consequences of her, or any other young child, seeing such a site. After all, I have heard stories from friends who had witnessed younger family members imitating various sexual acts after mistakenly viewing pornographic material. A few days after this incident, I was attempting to download another song when the same website appeared. Luckily, my niece was not home.
That day, I thought quite a lot about the many dangers lurking in cyberspace. In addition to pornography websites, there are other dangers, including child predators, bullying, identity theft and others. Cyberspace should not be vilified. It has many positive uses. There are, however, those whose actions cause the internet to have a negative image. In an attempt to prevent their children from being exposed to those who abuse the privilege of internet access, parents must employ various tactics.
One such tactic is the installation of filters, such as Cyber Patrol and CyberSitter 9.0, which are designed to block access to pornography websites. While such programs can be useful, they are not entirely effective since some websites have found ways to circumvent these blockers and, as I found out for myself, just by typing in ‘how to get around blocked websites’ on
http://www.youtube.com, one can find a step-by-step video on how to access websites, including porn sites, that have been blocked by filters. It is plain to see, therefore, that any literate child who is competent with a computer can easily overcome these blockers.
In addition, these blockers are not effective in shielding children from other threats. In my opinion, the best defense against any cyberspace threat is simply for parents to discuss the uses and abuses of the internet. Before this can happen, though, parents must be well informed about the internet. Many books, newspapers, and, especially, the internet, contain plenty of information regarding this topic. Websites such as
http://www.sdcda.org/protecting/children_parents.php provide valuable statistics and tips to assist parents in protecting their children.
After they have been well informed, parents can then start a discussion with their children about cyberspace. Parents must make children aware of potential threats from an early age just in case they encounter them on the internet at home, school or a friend’s house, and encourage their wards to discuss with them anything they saw that made them uncomfortable or if a stranger attempted to obtain personal information from them online.
Although parents can supervise their children when they initially begin to use the internet, as they grow older, children yearn for their privacy and dislike it when adults attempt to watch over their shoulder. By reinforcing in their children as early as possible the need to be cautious when navigating the internet, parents can be assured that their children will take the necessary precautions to reduce their risk being entrapped by internet predators long after parental supervision has ended.
Through the use of numerous tactics, such as those discussed in this essay and many others, parents can make a serious attempt to protect their children from the many dangers of cyberspace.
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"Protecting children in Cyberspace"
Imagine making a few clicks with the mouse and listening
to the incomprehensible garble of the modem for a few
seconds, then wham! You are transferred to a different
place. You can now see the world at large, yet you have not
moved an inch from your native land. This is the power of
the internet to transfer you into cyberspace.
Cyberspace is considered the best and most effective medium
of communication and research in today’s world. Without
cyberspace the world as we know it would be no more, since
millions of professionals, banks, shipping agencies and
students all depend on cyberspace heavily for research and
the communication of vital information. Sometimes the
importance of the information communicated in this imaginary
world (cyberspace) is so vital that it contributes to saving
lives.
Millions of children “go online” not to do research but to
meet and talk with friends, to part take in public
discussions in chat rooms, forum, bulletin boards, and send
and receive electronic-mail (E-mail) among other new fangled
habits. They also “go online” to exchange instant messages (IMs),
private one on one discussion.
The mere engagement in these activities puts children in the
path of great danger, since in cyberspace they are many
adults who are looking for children, especially teenagers,
to exploit. Instant Messaging is one of the most convenient
ways of reaching to prospective victims.
Most of the adults who prey on children in cyberspace
pretend to be children, and it is with this cover that they
communicate with, and lure children into vulnerable
situations.
Just as parents are intensely concerned about every move
that their children make in the “real world,” so too they
should be when they are operating in cyberspace. Parents
must therefore do everything possible to ensure that their
children are kept safe in cyberspace. Parents should educate
children about what should and should not be done in
cyberspace.
Among those activities which should be strictly prohibited
are the posting of pictures without parental approval,
agreement to meet in the real world with “on line” friends,
visiting adult oriented sites, and the exchange of important
personal information such as social and economic status and
home and school addresses.
Children should be encouraged to report without delay,
conversations and encounters that are of a frightening
nature, to their parents or guardians so that appropriate
actions could be taken in a timely manner.
Parents must take an active role in protecting children
while they are in cyberspace. In order to achieve this
parents can make it a habit of checking in on their children
while they are online thereby giving themselves the
opportunity to see first hand what their children are up to
while they are in cyberspace.
Parents can also suggest sites that they think would be
helpful and fun for their children to visit. In this way
parents can be aware of at least some of their children’s
activities while they are in cyberspace.
Other effective ways of monitoring and protecting children
while they are in cyberspace include the installation of
site blocking software from a reliable software company,
which allows parents to block minors from accessing
inappropriate sites while online, and set limits on the
amount of time children are allowed to stay online.
However it is the writer’s opinion that the most important
tool to be used in the protection of children in cyberspace
is the development of trust and good judgement through the
establishment of a good, friendly, trust filled relationship
between parents and children. This is almost sure to
guarantee that children remain protect children in
cyberspace.
REFERENCES
Online Family by Preston Gralla
Published by John Wiley and Sons Inc.
1998
Mr. Kidackie Amsterdam
Information Technology Instructor.
Community College
Computers: the user perspective by Hutchinson / Sawyer
Published D. Irwin Inc. 1198
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" Protection of Children In Cyberspace"
Undoubtedly, children are the most vulnerable users of the internet.
They conduct research, play games and watch the
latest movies on a daily basis.
Millions of them obtain membership in chat rooms,
join online forums, create email accounts and become members
of social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook.
According to recent surveys, over sixty percent of
minors converse in chat rooms daily.
Three in four children online unwittingly share
personal information about themselves and their family.
These startling findings should serve as a wakeup
call to parents worldwide.
Cyber bullying poses a threat to young
internet users. Bullies prey on victims not just on
playgrounds but also in cyberspace.
Using blogs and discussion forums, they post hurtful
comments to taunt and break down the self-esteem of their
peers. In 2006,
an American teenager Megan Meier committed suicide after
being maligned by a fictitious friend on MySpace.
Unfortunately, cyber bullying is not so easily
detected. It
becomes even more difficult for parents and school
administrators to recognize the physical signs such as
bruises and torn clothes usually observed on victims of
traditional bullying.
Often, children are too embarrassed and terrified to
confide in adults so they suffer in silence.
Social networking sites are believed to
affect the brains of children and make them socially inept.
Social networking has become the most popular online pastime
of young people. According
to neuroscientist Susan Greenfield, these websites are
believed “to shorten attention spans, encourage instant
gratification and make young people more self-centered”.
Spending countless hours in the virtual world, they
seem challenged by face-to-face interaction.
Young online users are the main targets
for online sexual solicitation. Websites such as MySpace,
Facebook, and Hi5 allow children to create profiles.
They reveal identifiable personal information and
display private photos.
Unaware of possible dangers, minors post suggestive
photos likely to be viewed by sexual predators and
paedophiles.
Their unsecured profiles are easily accessible to perverts
prowling in cyberspace.
They are therefore susceptible to cybercriminals.
Children are exposed to inappropriate
videos and seditious ideas.
Hate groups and dissident organizations specifically
target impressionable young people to recruit as new
members. The Irish police are currently investigating
attempts by dissident republicans to enlist members as young
as 13. Extremist groups post videos of their rallies,
meetings and other propaganda on video-sharing sites which
are seen by thousands. They prey on vulnerable “outcast”
teens who seek acceptance.
How can parents protect their children
in cyberspace?
There are existing ways to combat the potential dangers on
the internet.
Parents need to be aware of children’s activities online and
ensure their safety is not compromised.
Parents need to be computer savvy in order to monitor
the profiles created and websites visited. The installation
of filtering software can block inappropriate content.
Also, parents should inform children of the inherent
risk of internet usage.
Moreover, administrative passwords are effective ways
of exerting parental control.
Such proactive actions allow parents to supervise
online activities of their kids and keep them safe.
The International Telecommunications
Union (ITU) adopted the theme “Protecting Children in
Cyberspace” for 2009.
Consequently, the Child Online Protection initiative
was launched to safeguard children in the cyberworld.
This
initiative brings together global partners from law
enforcement, telecommunication companies, United Nations
agencies and children foundations to guarantee cybersecurity.
In conclusion, the internet offers children numerous opportunities for
communication, entertainment and educational research.
Parents and guardians must implement measures to
lessen the potential risks in cyberspace.
A global concerted effort by organisations and
interest groups can ensure that the experience online is
both pleasurable and safe.
References
Derbyshire, David.
“Social Websites Harm Children’s Brains: Chilling
Warning To Parents From Top Neuroscientists” Retrieved 25
April 2009.
www.dailymail.co.uk
Fryer, Joe.
“Hate Groups Surge Online” Retrieved 26 April 2009.
www.firstcoastnews.com
O’Hara, Victoria. “Dissidents Using Social Websites
To Recruit Children”
Retrieved 26 April 2009.
www.belfasttelegraph.com
Parents: Cyberbullying Led To Teen’s
Suicide Retrieved 25
April 2009.
www.abcnews.go.com
www.itu.int
www.netalert.gov.au
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PROTECTING CHILDREN IN
CYBERSPACE
Cyberspace, a term originated from
William Gibson’s novel ‘Neuromancer’, does not have any
standard definition; it is used to describe the virtual
world of computers.
Cyberspace, with its great technological ‘magic’ has
enhanced life in many ways. It has made long distance
communication much more affordable and accessible and has
provided a faster, simpler means of sending and receiving
information. Upon entering the new millennium over 17
million children were utilizing cyberspace. Clearly,
inquisitive young minds find cyberspace intriguing. However,
Lucifer the most beautiful of angels had a dark side; so
does cyberspace.
Many dangers have arisen, ruining the harmony of life in
cyberspace. The potentially ‘perfect’ virtual world has
become plagued with threats of hackers, pornography,
violently explicit material, hate messages, pedophiles and
other predators who roam chat rooms looking for innocent
victims, making it dangerous for children to roam cyberspace
unprotected.
Must children be excluded from the realm of cyberspace
because of the crimes being committed against them there?
Certainly not! Cyberspace is a beautiful place; an emblem of
man’s intelligence; a realm of endless opportunities.
Cyberspace stretches across the globe; so global cooperation
is needed to help curb its dangers.
Many measures have been taken globally to help curb the
dangers of cyberspace. In 1998 the controversial US
Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) placed
obligations on websites with content for children, to adopt
and publicize a privacy policy and obtain the consent of
parents of children under 13 years, before collecting
personal information from them or disclosing personal
information about them. Other regions, such as France and
South America have also established laws on internet
content. In Europe plans aimed at combating illegal and
harmful content have been initiated in combination with
hotlines specially developed for the reporting of online
offenses.
Groups and organizations such as the Internet Crimes Against
Children (ICAC) Task Force Program , the Convention on
Cybercrime, the Virtual Global Taskforce and UNICEF work to
promote cyber security by tracking down online offenders,
putting protection laws in place and informing the public of
the dangers of cyberspace.
There are also websites such as dimdima.com, netalert.net. ,
chiworld.org and missdorothy.com that provide information
and guidelines on cyber security and provide help lines for
children who have been abused online. Additionally, there
are computer programs such as parental blocks and filters
which help parents to better monitor their children.
Amidst all of these education is key. Governments,
educators, parents and internet companies should take all
measures necessary to educate young people of the dangers
which cyberspace poses. Guides, for example, the Guide de
Sécurité pour les Jeunes Internautes established by the
police of Montreal, Canada, are useful for educating young
people on proper internet navigation. A commendable measure
is the celebration of Net Safety Day held annually on the
sixth of February. Governments, schools and social groups
internationally, should use this day as an opportunity to
increase children’s awareness of the dangers of cyberspace.
Parent – child communication is also vital.
Parents can protect their children
by discussing with them the dangers of cyberspace and by
training them to be responsible individuals in the cyber
world as in the real world.
Unlike the real world, the world of cyberspace must not be
allowed to fall into doom by the hand of Lucifer. The youth,
in conjunction with cyberspace are our future. If we do not
protect them today, there will be no tomorrow. Fighting the
dangers of cyberspace may be difficult; however, with
determination and perseverance it is achievable. Let’s work
together to protect children in cyberspace!
Bibliography
Neuromancer -William Gibson
www.ITU.com
www.dimdima.com
www.netalert.net.au
www.chiworld.org
http://www.collegian.psu.edu/archive/2001/10/10-02-01tdc/10-02-01dscitech-22.asp
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