Personal Safety
Children Online
Online Dangers to Kids
Child Safety Tips
Adult Safety
Online Dating
Meeting People
Cyberbullies
Social Networking
Phishing
Social Engineering

Computer Safety
Hackers
Passwords
Spyware
Backdoors
Keyloggers
Viruses
Antivirus
Firewalls
Spam
Hoaxes
Scams

Internet Manners
Netiquette
Copyrights & the Internet
Bandwidth Theft

 

How Computers Have Changed the World for Parents and Children

It has been said that the most important job in the world is being a parent.  Our children depend on us for so much beyond the basic necessities of food, shelter, clothing and transportation.  We're responsible for keeping them safe, teaching them how to take care of themselves, and raising them to be good citizens of the world.

In the past 10 years, parent's jobs have become much harder with the increasing popularity of home computers, mobile devices and access to the internet  In Canada right now, 90% of young people use the internet on a regular basis. 

As with the introduction of all new technologies, this brings with it a significant generation gap.  Many parents who never dreamed of using a computer when they themselves were children, now have children who are extremely technologically knowledgeable and thoroughly comfortable in an internet environment.  With each passing year, it seems that the generation gap gets wider as more and more new technologies and ways of interacting with them are being introduced to our children.

Because parents sometimes lack the knowledge about computer and internet technology that their children have, it can make it difficult for them to fulfill their role as protector.  While some parents are truly innocent, and aren't aware of the dangers that lurk in certain internet environments, others can only hope that their children won't be affected by them.

However, the dangers are there.  It is up to us to learn what they are and how best to protect children, and teach children how to keep themselves safe when they are surfing online.  In this case, knowledge of the problems is the best defence. 

© Copyright 2004 - 2006
All Rights Reserved.
Page last updated March 4, 2006