Keep children safe on social-networking sites

If chatter about social-networking sites and instant messaging (IM) bewilders you or leaves you cold, don’t worry. Opinion tends to be pretty equally divided as to their worth. At best, many detractors dismiss sites such as Facebook or Twitter or tools such as Aim and Windows Live Messenger as a waste of time. At worst they are perceived as a grievous threat to society and to our and our children’s safety.

For others, however, such sites and services are harmless and a part of everyday life. Join us as we examine this online phenomenon that always seems to be hitting the headlines. We’ll put the dangers into perspective and explain how you can protect yourself and your children when using social-networking services.

Popular pastime
Social-networking sites are websites that enable people to publish and share information about themselves. Each member has their own ‘page’ on the site, usually referred to as a ‘profile’. Instant-messaging services are convenient communication tools that enable people to type messages to each other in real time. The main reason for their popularity is that they give people a quick and easy way to keep friends and family in touch.

Some social-networking sites are aimed at particular interests or age groups and many are now being used to advertise events, let people join groups and kick-start careers. This means people gravitate towards the ones that offer the type of interaction that suits them.

For example, Bebo is popular with youngsters of around 14 to 20 years old. Facebook has evolved to become a global ‘coffee shop’ for people of all ages, cultures and interests.

Myspace and Youtube are well known for being a springboard for aspiring artists; particularly for budding bands and film makers. There are also many work-related social-networking sites, such as Linkedin and Naymz that cater for those who want to share information and contacts with colleagues, or make contact with people who might be advantageous to know. Then there is Twitter; the online soapbox for anyone who wants to get things off their chest or who aspires to be a citizen journalist.

Such is the popularity of online social networking that celebrities have started using them to raise their public profile. Politicians have been quick to jump onto the bandwagon to get their message across. Even the Prime Minister has published videos on Youtube and the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has been using the Habbo virtual world to impart information about privacy issues to youngsters.

What are the dangers?
Despite their popularity, these sites and services are quite regularly in the firing line because of the potential dangers they pose.

Sexual predators always hit the headlines, however, while this is a danger that needs to be taken seriously, it’s not such a widespread issue as some newspapers might have you believe.

The targeting of children by strangers is in fact rare; statistically, child abusers almost always commit crimes against children they know. A more common risk is bullying from a child’s peer group. The results of a recent study by the Department for Children, Schools and Families showed that up to 34 per cent of 12- to 15-year-olds experienced bullying via the internet.

Scams are increasingly common too, but this is true for all online activities; not just social networking or IM messages. In November last year, criminals managed to hijack some people’s Facebook accounts and used them to send pleas for financial help to people they knew, which appeared to be from one of their friends. Allegedly the ‘friend’ was stranded in another country and needed money for hotel bills and a plane ticket home. Hackers can also infect PCs with viruses and other malicious software by using hyperlinks in IM and rogue applications on social-networking sites.

People can also inadvertently libel each other. A Sunderland housing company was awarded £100,000, the UK’s highest ever internet libel settlement, after a forum called Dadsplace conducted what the judge called ‘a malicious, relentless campaign’ of harassment.

Copyright infringement is common and the entertainment industry will often contact social-networking sites to take down music tracks or movie clips that have been posted without permission.