Tags: Child Health and Growth, Parenting
By Alexander Villafania
QUEZON CITY, METRO MANILA – The Internet is fast becoming an essential educational tool for children, with more households purchasing computers and getting broadband connection. Some parents even prefer their kids spending more time on computers than watching TV, with the assumption that they are really using their computers for school-related work.
A recent report by Yahoo! Philippines and Nielsen – in fact, a follow up to their 2009 report on Internet usage in the Philippines – indicated that Internet usage at home has been in the upward trend especially as more households get connected.
A section of the Yahoo!-Nielsen report indicated that an increase in the number of Filipino children below 15 years of age are already using the Internet. Majority of use is still on email and messaging but information search is also increasing. The types of material being accessed are largely photos and videos.
The ubiquity of computers and the Internet, as well as the relative freedom of accessing virtually any type of material also comes with certain dangers. These can be in the form of malicious content files, online stalkers, and pornography. Many unscrupulous individuals prey on unknowing victims, especially children.
A report by online news organization E-Commerce Times in 2007 stressed that more children are being exposed to online porn and their age of the demographics that access such material is getting younger – less than 12 years old.
Closer to home, a 2009 report published by Sunstar noted on a research by Share-A-Child Movement that child pornography in Cebu has increased and many of these practices are on cybersex. Some of the victims are actually lured online prior to becoming victims of child pornography themselves.
Senators Loren Legarda and Jamby Madrigal have been championing the protection of kids against online threats. There are also organizations that have called for action against online pornography in the Philippines, including the United Nations Children’s Fund. This pressure resulted in the passage of Republic Act 9775 or Anti-Child Pornography Law of 2009, which covers all forms of media for porn distribution, including the Internet.
But just as the old adage goes: protection of children starts at home. Responsibilities of parents do not end when children are given free access to any content on the Web. In fact, as with all types of learning, parents must take initiative to tell their children the benefits and risks of using the Internet.
Several organizations are formed to provide parents with the skills to teach their kids about the Internet. One such organization is the Web Safety for Parents, which has helpful tips for parents on appropriate methods of keeping their children safe online. Much of their activities are actually done through face-to-face seminars but there are materials on their site that also offer basic tips on dealing with the “Y” generation of children. They also have a video that stresses these dangers.
Taking a pro-active participation in your kids’ activities can lead to better understanding on the benefits and risks of going online. As parents, it would be in your best interest to be involved. A healthy discussion within a familiar environment can go a long way.
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