What should you know?
As the Internet evolves, the activities children/youth undertake change as well. While it can be difficult to keep up with
online developments, it's important that parents/guardians take a proactive approach to learning about what their
children/youth enjoy doing on the Internet.
The following sections outline basic online interests of children/youth, provide general Internet resources and links for
parents/guardians, and list commonly-used online lingo.
Online Interests
The following are some of the most common activities children/adolescents engage in on the Internet:
 |
Cell/Mobile Phone Text Messaging
Short Message Service (SMS), more commonly known as text messaging, allows user to communicate with other users through brief, typed text. These messages can be easily, deleted, leaving no trace of the message sent, or saved and distributed by malicious users.
|
 |
Instant Messaging (IM)
Electronic communication that involves components of both chat and email. Users maintain lists of buddies/friends and
are notified when their contacts are online. Short text messages are sent back and forth, and some IM programs also
include file transfer, webcam viewing, voice chat and other applications (e.g. Windows Live).
|
 |
Peer to Peer Programs (P2P)
Programs that allow users to establish a connection and have direct access to shared files on each other's computers. P2P programs allow the exchange of images, videos, music files, etc. without using a centralized server (e.g. KaZaa, Limewire).
|
 |
Social Networking
Social networking websites reflect the relationships between individuals and the various social circles that connect them. Users are encouraged to post personal information (pictures, journals, etc.) and chat with others in real time (e.g. MySpace, Facebook).
|
 |
Webcam
A webcam is a video camera that is usually attached directly to a computer.
|
 |
Online Games and Gaming Consoles
Online games often allow multiple players and are interactive and on-going (characters and scenarios evolve over time). Many include role-playing and chat/voice options. A video gaming console is an interactive computer or device that uses a TV or monitor to display the video game (e.g. Playstation 3, Nintendo Wii, Xbox). Players can talk to each other via built-in wireless access; no history of conversations can be saved with such devices.
|
 |
Search Engines
Internet search engines (e.g. Google, Yahoo) assist users in finding websites on virtually any subject. The search engines maintain databases of websites, and are continuously gathering information. Many popular search engines have free filtering tools that eliminate adult/sexually explicit websites from Internet searches (e.g. Google SafeSearch).
|
 |
Chatrooms
Chatrooms are online meeting places where users can chat with other users in real-time. The online equivalent of a party line, this forum enables conversations with multiple users. While some chatrooms are monitored and moderated, they are typically uncontrolled, unsupervised environments.
|
 |
Avatars
An avatar is a digital expression of an individual user that usually takes the shape of an animal, creature or person. They are usually used in chat forums, games, and personal profiles.
|
