| to be during the early days of the internet, most | | | | In this situation there are many enablers. The less |
| families only had one computer that sat in some | | | | than diligent parents, who are either ignorant or |
| common space. It was shared by the whole | | | | lazy. The social network site administrators, who |
| family and available to everyone. Kids and parents | | | | should be catching this kind of activity. Or, maybe |
| alike would spend time on the home PC searching | | | | the government for its lack of legislation on the |
| the web and enjoying the new found accessibility | | | | issue. |
| to information. Monitoring everyones activities on | | | | Often overlooked however is the wireless |
| the computer was easy because everyone used | | | | network. Which with the help of the portable PC |
| the same computer. There was no privacy when | | | | gives minors the capability to sit anywhere in the |
| it came to the viewing of the internet. | | | | house, free from the prying eyes of parents. This |
| However, the age of wireless internet has | | | | kind of privacy can often lead to insidious |
| changed all of that. Now with the help of the | | | | behavior. It lays down the fertile soil from which |
| laptop computer, people are able to connect to | | | | some of the most noxious weeds spring up. It |
| the internet from almost anywhere. This means | | | | takes the home wireless network, which in most |
| that both parents and kids can search the web | | | | cases is a glorious thing, and turns it into a tool |
| from the privacy of their rooms or any other | | | | for predators and other malicious individuals. |
| solitary place. That also means that some | | | | It's important to take these things into |
| dangerous activities go by unmonitored by | | | | consideration when installing your own home |
| parents. | | | | wireless network. Some parents only allow |
| This kind of clandestine internet use by minors | | | | children to use the houses desktop computer. |
| and others can often lead to problems. It's not | | | | Laptops are reserved for college students. |
| hard to find cases of children and teenagers being | | | | Wireless internet is still be made available, but the |
| targeted by predators on the internet. Situations | | | | younger children aren't allowed laptops so it's |
| involving Myspace, Facebook and other social | | | | dangers are minimized. Other parents allow their |
| networking sites abound in the news. It's always | | | | children to have laptops, but turn off the routers |
| the same story. The victim cultivates an online a | | | | at night. They also tell children that they must |
| relationship with a new friend, after many hours | | | | keep their doors open when using the internet. |
| of communicating with each other, sending | | | | Regular checking of your children's web history is |
| pictures and even video chatting, the relationship | | | | also a way some parents are keeping tabs on |
| blooms and the trap is set. The spider has his fly. | | | | their children's activities. |
| Where are the parents during all of this? In most | | | | The wireless network is just a small part of what |
| cases they are just across the hall in their | | | | is a big problem. Some of these solutions might |
| bedroom or kitchen. Unbeknownst to them a | | | | seem naive and useless when it comes to |
| stranger is prowling in their home. A sinister visitor | | | | controlling children who are often more computer |
| who has been invited in by an unsuspecting child. | | | | savvy then their parents. However, talking to |
| He lives in the child's computer, while situation | | | | your children and showing an interest in their |
| grows out of control right under their nose. And, | | | | safety can help in catching problems before they |
| in some cases, by the time the trespass has | | | | get out of control. Or, at least be a deterrent |
| been discovered, it's to late. | | | | against future bad activities. |