This series is drawn from the booklet Kid Safe Cyberspace: A Parent’s Guide… This 20 page booklet and other resources are available here. To read Part 1 and 2 of this series, click here and here. Follow this link for a printable Internet Safety Tips page.

While in church yesterday morning there seemed to be an unusually large number of young children (4-10 yrs). While I try to not let my mind wander, it did, and I was thinking about the beautiful innocence of these children and how long or short a time it will be before Internet pornography shatters their world and that of their entire family. Then I realized I already knew the answer to that question. I mentioned it in part 2 of this series, but it is worth repeating. Studies have shown that the average age at which children are first exposed to Internet porn is 11 years old.

Mom and Dad, don’t let this happen to your kids. Throughout their young lives you do so many things to keep them safe — from car seats and good nourishment, to child drawer locks and electrical outlet covers. You teach them to look both ways when crossing the street and not to talk to strangers. These and a thousand other safeguards are taken in order to keep them safe and protect their innocence. Unfortunately, far too many parents are neglecting this most important safeguard: protecting their children from the dangers lurking in the dark alleys along the information super highway. This paradox we call the Internet has such great potential for good while at the same time is filled with grave danger. However, with proper safeguards, your family can enjoy the benefits from the  ”good side” of the web and still be insulated from the “dark side.”

In part 2 of this series I listed several Internet safety tips. The following will expand on that list in hopes of making you more aware of just how widespread the problem really is.

• Web Cams: Wonderful for keeping in touch with families who live far apart, however, they are often trouble because of the way teens use them to show off and, all too often, to show off in front of strangers.
• Cell Phones, iPods and game systems: The following actual news headlines should make the point: “Cell phones-The Next Frontier for Pornography;” “Porn industry markets to cell users;” “Porn on the pod: targeting iPod users;”  ”Adult content producers eye Play Station Portable and iPod;” “Predators eye new ground-Xbox 360 and similar game systems.” Don’t think for a minute that these are isolated news events; they are not. The porn merchants use every means possible to draw you and your children into their web. So, beware, it is not just the computer anymore. 
• Social Networking Sites- MySpace.com, Facebook.com, Xanga.com, Bebo.com,  and a host of others: it wasn’t too many years ago, as society began to obscure the line between right and wrong, that parents began to caution their children about not talking to strangers — and they had good reason. Well, the online world of today actually encourages and promotes just the opposite. With the flourishing of social-networking sites, kids are now talking with strangers more than ever, and often to strangers who are not who they say they are. Learn more about Social Networking sites, and their dangers, here. Be aware that the FBI and many other law enforcement agencies have special units that do nothing but investigate online predators, usually through social networking sites and Internet chat rooms. 
• Computer Usage Ground Rules: for a complete list click here, then print out the Safety Tips handout, laminate it, and post it near the home computer.

This Internet pornography problem is like an iceberg, only some of it is visible. The real danger is from what you don’t see! So, there is still much more you need to know. The Kid Safe Cyberspace booklet can give you the rest of the story. You can order it here.

In the next article of this series I will try to answer the question: to filter or monitor, which is better for different age children.

Mom and Dad, this is a battle you must join and in which you must stay engaged. You must stay vigilant. Involve your kid’s friend’s parents, and don’t forget grandma and grandpa and other adult family members.   This will be your front line defense in the battle to protect your family.

Take courage, my friend.