Is it really possible to keep kids safe online?

At the Professionals Online Safety Helpline, I am often asked to endorse products or sites which have been designed to keep kids safe online. There is a burgeoning rise in Social Networking sites designed for under 13’s, (or for over 13’s whose parents are still worried about the evils of Facebook), and safety products to eliminate cyber-bullying.

But do they work?

There are so many new products, it is hard to keep abreast of quality and value.  Many iphone apps for blocking unwanted contacts are free, however the most promoted are the chargeable ones, are they any better? There are now numerous products which flag up potential bullying or inappropriate language on Social Networking sites, however these are only as good as the people updating the software that inputs words to flag up. I have two children and work in Internet Safety, not a day passes when I don’t have to reach for the “Teenage Bullying Language Encyclopedia” for reference. These products do serve a purpose however, in providing some reassurance to parents and educators that they are “doing” something to help. I see no harm provided they are not relied upon as infallible tools.

The biggest rise both here and in the USA, is with new Social Networking sites. I have read about so many who claim to be “The new Facebook”. Really? Facebook has more than 750 million active users, most of these new sites have more like 600 users. Sadly, the things which make these appeal to anxious parents, are exactly what would put off a young person from using them. Many require parental control, and allow your parents to see all your posts, or at least those which the site feels it should share, many do not allow friend requests without showing parents first, some do not allow real photos, only avatars, and others use guided communication, only allowing youngsters to update their status using words pre-selected by the site. Boring! There is a reason there are so many underage users of social networking sites, it is exciting and makes the young person feel more mature. Sticking to an age appropriate site may not have the same allure. I wonder how many of those with accounts on these safe sites, also secretly have Facebook accounts?

I think the worst sin committed is in patronising young people. This comment from a new site sums it up perfectly - “tell your friends what you're doing (...just like the older kids do!)”. Hhmm.

There are some amazing Social Networking sites for younger internet users, but they are not trying to recreate Facebook. They are fun sites, where children can interact with others and play games, preparing them for when they ARE old enough to have a Facebook account.

Article written by Laura Higgins - Helpline Manager

August 2011