Drawing the Line Online
Kids and teens face an abundance of opportunities to connect
with one another and explore the world through the Internet, cell
phones, social networking sites, instant messaging, and email.
And adults are carefully watching the benefits and the risks that
go along with that.
Teens are firmly entrenched in the electronic world: 20% say
their favorite way of staying in touch with friends is by instant
messaging (IM) or email; 75% have an online profile on a social
networking site such as Myspace or Xanga, and roughly one third of
teens said in a recent survey they have friends they've never
met in person and only talk to online. Parents are grappling with
how to make sure their kids get the benefits that come from
exploring these new frontiers without exposing them to risks like
Internet predators, pornography, cyberbullying, unsafe disclosure
of personal information, and too much screen time.
What to Watch:
As online opportunities for kids proliferate, so do the
resources for parents to keep kids safe. Industry, health care
groups, and federal agencies are stepping up their campaigns to
monitor and guard kids' electronic activities. Parents who are
comfortable with technology have a growing arsenal of tools
available to monitor kids online ― from tracking their keystrokes
to reading their email ― and will need to balance how much privacy
to give their children with the supervision kids need to stay safe.
Many parents will confront a growing technological divide between
themselves and kids who, from a very young age, are more
technologically savvy than any generation before.
For Kids:
Safe Cyberspace Surfing
For Teens:
Internet Safety: Safe Surfing Tips for Teens
For Parents:
Internet Safety
Healthy Habits for the TV, Video Games, and the Internet
Go to the next
Issue to Watch
View the entire list of
Issues to Watch
Return to
Main Page
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
© 1995-2009 The Nemours Foundation/KidsHealth. All rights reserved.