Children Protection from Undesirable Content - Essay Example

The internet society has suggested some measures that can be implemented to protect children from undesirable content they may access from the internet. They argue that software as well as filters cannot protect the children but control by the parents as well as education can help protect children from malicious content they can access on the internet. As such, it can be noted that while the internet is very important in our lives, it poses significant dangers to children since they can be corrupted by the information they access from this medium of communication. For example, children can be exposed to illicit content such as pornography that can corrupt their minds while still at a tender age.

This problem can be solved through parental, guardian as well as educators intervention to be in a position to educate children about the constructive use of the Internet. It should be everyone’s responsibility to provide internet-safe education to children so that they become aware of the risks they are likely to encounter through the use of the internet. The other solution that can be implemented to deal with this particular problem is related to the empowerment of the children so that they can become masters of their destiny as far as internet use is concerned. There are different ways of implementing these measures which are likely to provide a long solution to the problem that is related to adverse impacts of the internet on children.

According to the Internet Society, “the most effective way to deal with perceived problems arising from Internet use is to empower children and young people so they know how to safeguard themselves against the adverse effects of using the Internet”. Whilst other strategies are used by different governments such as filtering or blocking websites that are thought to contain malicious information to children, it can be seen that these techniques have their shortfalls. A holistic approach that is people-centred should be implemented to address this problem. Empowerment of children with regard to the use of the internet is very effective since this strategy is designed to produce positive benefits of using the internet. Different empowerment techniques can be used such as teaching the children about appropriate language to use as well as imparting knowledge to them about their respective communities’ social, cultural and ethical norms that shape their behaviour.

Every person belongs to a culture that has norms and values and these create the identity of the people living in that particular area. The culture of people also shapes their identity hence it is the role of the parents in particular to impart knowledge about their cultural values to the children. This can help the children to distinguish between something good from bad. Children who are aware of their cultural values are likely to maintain them throughout their lives. These values also help them to know the things they are allowed to do as well as things they are not allowed to do in their society. Morally upright children often display positive traits about their culture and this can redeem them from behaving badly when they are using the internet.

It is also important for parents as well as educators to educate their children about the positive benefits that can be derived from using the internet. As stated by the Internet Society, it can be observed that the Internet is not evil since it has significantly improved our lives in various ways. More benefits are likely to be obtained from using the internet than the negative aspects such as the ones mentioned above. Essentially, parents and educators should always strive to educate their children to be in a position to make a distinction between something bad from good. Whilst parents and teachers spend most of their time with their children, it can be noted that they cannot control their behaviour all the time, especially about internet surfing patterns. Responsible people are likely to behave in a positive manner that is not detrimental to their norms and values.

The children can also be educated to be responsible people who are in firm control of their destiny. This can be done by telling them that they can reap immense benefits from using the internet. If the children are educated about the positive gains they can reap from the internet, their behaviour is likely to change rather than wasting time on issues that are of no benefit to them. If the children are aware that they can benefit from using the internet, they are likely to focus on things that are of substance. This can also help them to make a distinction between something that is good from bad and this can positively change their behaviour.

It can be observed that children are exposed to negative things on the internet such as child pornography. It has also been observed that controlling the internet is quite challenging since it can be accessed from portable gadgets such as smartphones in private places. Indeed, it is a fact that children are exposed to illicit content that can adversely impact their social upbringing. However, this problem can be addressed through child empowerment as well as education. Since parents and educators spend most of their time with children, they are in a better position to educate them about the positive benefits of using the internet which can empower them to be responsible citizens. It should be everyone’s responsibility to play a part in educating young people about the dangers they can encounter from using the internet. Read More