Image via Wikipedia

Norton, the computer security software giant, released to the public a list of search terms by age group.  What the kids are searching for is something parents need to both question and assure that their own children aren’t searching for anything similar.

While many aren’t anything that should cause concern things like youtube and myspace, among the result are some decidedly ‘adult’ terms.  Below is the top ten (by age-group), and the list continues past that.

This is quite alarming, even if you aren’t an alarmist. 

Is there cause for concern?  While very few will argue that kids shouldn’t know about this kind of thing, many also argue that parents need to do more to protect their children- especially online.  Keeping the home computer in a public place,and limiting access to more mobile devices could help. 

While with the older set, and all school aged kids need access to computers, keep it within the parents view can help curb any inappropriate searches.

Recommended:

Logitech’s Portable Webcam C905

Fashion mistakes for the party season

You check your email and find that you are the winner of some amazing prize or cash.  It’s a trick as old as can be, but thousands fall for it.  A lot of shady companies offer some amazing deal, or claim that someone is a winner of something to get them to hand over they’re information.

There are, it seems many more scams going around lately.  While the climate may warrant you to worry- don’t panic.  There are many great and simple steps to follow, especially on the internet, that will save you the horror of having your information stolen.

Be Vigilant:

From email to snail mail, getting into certain habits that you constantly and consistently follow. 

• Shred everything, especially any statements or related mail.  If you aren’t sure, be safe rather than sorry.
• Don’t click links in emails.  Especially if they are claiming to be your bank or another account.
• Don’t download random programs, toolbars, etc.  While sure, it that game may sound great- if the source is shady you are putting yourself and your information at risk.

While in the past there has been a lot about anti-virus programs and that still stands, it’s always a better bet to limit risk as well.  While yes, you should still use the programs, and scan your system regularly.  You should also be sure to download those programs from very trustworthy websites (download.com is a personal favorite) as there are a lot of fake virus programs out there.

Recommended:

Better Christmas list for iPhone

Safety Tips during the Christmas Season

The internet can be a dangerous and scary place.  Even for those of us fluent in “geek”.

When my family first got connected (in the yesteryear of 1998), my mother was a huge ball of nerves.  She was convinced I was going to get stalked, kidnapped and a thousand other grizzly fates (and some I honestly still can’t figure out how she came to those conclusions).  Although, she’s calmed quite a bit in the years since she’s still a bit anxious when it comes to anything online.

Although, our connection has changed from the beast that was called AOL I’ve noticed a lot of the same fears still in many parents.  Surprisingly, it might not be the outside sources that you need to be worried about as much as what your child is showing on their profile (at least according to one study):

More than half of today’s teens make references to sex, alcohol, drugs or violence in their online profiles, according to new research out Monday. In a 2007 study of 500 publicly available MySpace pages created by 18-year-old Americans, researchers found that 54 per cent mentioned or showed pictures of risky or unhealthy behaviour. Sexual content showed up in 24 per cent of the pages, 41 per cent of the pages included drug use, 37 per cent alcohol and 14.4 per cent violence. 

From this article.

I will say the fears are (or at least can be very real) there are things you can do to protect your kids in the vast world of the internet (without being a spy). My daughter is still a bit to young to be worrying about  her online activities (15 months old) but the day will come.

There is a solution:

*If your child has a MySpace or any social networking page, ‘make’ them to add you.  Also get them to keep their pages privacy set to private. Check it often.

The general rule of thumb I’ve always used what don’t put forth what you wouldn’t want your mother and/ or grandmother seeing (and yes it has stopped me from posting up anything insanely out there many a time).

Another helpful thing is to have the computer set up in a high traffic area (the living room, for instance).

Does anyone else have any helpful tips on keeping you child safe online?  If so, feel free to post them.