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Area: ASKACOP
Msg#: 584 Rec'd Date: 10/29/93 22:41
From: Bob Eden Read: Yes Replied: No
To: All Mark:
Subj: Info To Parents #3
....continued from previous message:
I have a teenage daughter who is an avid modemmer and can offer the
following suggestions to moniter your child, keeping in mind that the
parent does not want to necessarily deprive the child of this medium,
and in fact, does want to encourage the child to become computer
literate:
1) As a parent, you should become knowledgeable in the software used by
the child, to facilitate the modem. My child uses Telemate, of which
I am thoroughly aware.
2) Monitor the modem program to ensure that the numbers listed are in
the local exchange, so you won't encounter large phone bills.
3) Insist that the child has the password recorded (Telemate has that
function installed). Simply use the left arrow key, at the dialing
menu, until the password becomes visible.
4) If you become suspicious that your child is contacting dangerous BBS
you can further control the child's activities. You can insist that
they engage the "log session" capability of the program, so that you
can review their activities. You can also contact the BBS yourself,
using your child's passowrd, to scan the contents of the suspicious
BBS. The danger here is that you can discourage the child and
alienate him/her. However, if you decide to employ these tactics, you
likely feel desparate and desparate measures are warranted.
5) In the options pull-down menu area, you can check the download path
and review the programs and text files downloaded, by your child.
Look for files on floppies also.
I am sure that there are other things, which may be considered, in
becoming aware of your child's activities. I would be interested in
hearing about your thoughts and experiences.
I would like to further emphasize that you use tact, in dealing with
your child regarding BBS activities. I showed my daughter a letter
written by the parent of a child, who became a victim of sexual abuse,
because of his activities on the bulletin boards. My daughter was
somewhat indignant, saying she was too smart to let this happen to her.
However, my daughter, being interested in Tarot Card reading, actually
attended a social gathering of a local White Witchcraft BBS group. We
allowed her to attend, based on the advice of a local policeman, who is
an expert in witchcraft, and the meeting was in a local public place.
We stipulated that an adult cousin was to chaperone. Unbeknownst to me,
the cousin did not attend and my daughter went alone, with a teenage
friend. As it turned out this VERY SMART TEENAGER, returned to the Adult
Sysop's house, to view their computer equipment. Fortunately for my
daughter, nothing happened.
However, this incident demonstrates that even with all of the
precautions taken, children are at risk, because they are for the most
part, very naive and trusting.
In the same way that we teach small children never to talk to strangers,
we have to teach our computer literate children that the people they are
talking to on the computer are also strangers - and they should take the
same precautions.
The following are further suggestions offered by the Warwick County
Police:
*****WHAT YOU CAN DO TO PROTECT YOUR CHILDREN****
TALK TO YOUR KIDS ABOUT THEIR USE OF THE COMPUTER
KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING
IF POSSIBLE, KEEP THE COMPUTER IN A "COMMON" AREA OF YOUR HOME, SUCH AS
A FAMILY ROOM OR DEN. Comment - I conducted an investigation, in which a
16 year old boy, (from Delta, BC) who caused the destruction of a
Bulletin Board and a users home computer, by introducting a destructive
"batch file". When I visited his home with a search warrant, I found
that he had the computer and modem in his bedroom. Remember what was
said about "appearance". Well the condition of his room, his computer
and discs, was appalling. He had the privacy to do what he wanted.
This situation has now changed. His parents, who are upstanding, caring
parents, have now removed his modem and the computer is in a common
area.
YOU DECIDE IF YOUR CHILD HAS A LEGITIMATE NEED FOR A MODEM
IF A MODEM IS BEING USED, CONTROL THE ACTIVITY MONITOR TIMES AND NUMBERS
DIALED.
CLOSELY MONITOR YOUR LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONE BILL.
IF THE COMPUTER IS LEFT RUNNING UNATTENDED CHECK THE SCREEN.
IF IT IS SHOWING A SERIES OF SIXTEEN-DIGIT NUMBERS THE COMPUTER IS
TRYING TO VALIDATE CREDIT CARD NUMBERS.
IF YOU ARE NOT COMPUTER LITERATE LEARN ABOUT COMPUTERS TAKE A COURSE
OR HAVE YOUR CHILD TEACH YOU.