Stories of online stalkers tracking-down kids and young web surfer being bombarded with pornography are not just media hype. It really is happening.

Most parents and carers assume the greatest source of adult content is web sites. That is partly true although there are even more prolific sources of porn.

There are at least 10 sources of danger for your kids and as parents / carers you need to know about each of them.

Websites
Websites are of course a major source of adult content and Other disturbing text and images.

Web masters use a range of tricks to get people to visit their sites, including your kids.

Search engines
Did you realise that search engines are THE major source or links to adult content? Some search engines will even serve-up highly inappropriate and offensive images.

Email
If your child has not yet received a disturbing image in an email, then it is only a matter of time ... unless you take steps to prevent it.

Spyware
If you use the internet and you (or your kids) have downloaded files including music files and software, you almost certainly have a 'spyware' program running on your PC. This software reports your surfing habits back to its masters.

Pop-ups
Pop-ups are often a trap-door into a porn site. Pop-ups open in your web page, unless you block them.
Computer viruses
A computer virus is a computer program. They can deliver adult content to your PC or even deliver porn to other people's PCs so that it appears like it was sent by you!!!

Chat software
Chat software is the number one method for a stalker to get in touch with your child.

Chat rooms
These are web sites that let your child connect with other people. The problem is that you have no idea who the other person really is - it literally could be ANYONE.

Newsgroups / Forums
Obscene material and disturbing textual content is very common within non-moderated newsgroups and forums. People often express strong opinions and these can contain bad or abusive language.

Dialler programs
Imagine a software program that runs on your PC hard drive and dials expensive Premium Rate telephone numbers. That is a dialler. But here's the twist - diallers can be installed on your PC without you knowing about it.

All parents need to be aware of these source of adult content so that they can keep one step ahead of the porn merchants and online stalkers.

I wish you and your family a very safe surfing experience.

Tony Radford
Email:

© Copyright 2003 A B Radford All rights reserved