Risks of spam

Dangers to Children

As a parent, you are probably very aware of the dangers your children face when using the Internet. But did you know that children can be exposed to the same kind of dangers through email? Over 40% of email today is unsolicited email (spam) that is often obscene, inappropriate and even dangerous.

Spam includes undesirable content such as pornography and destructive information. And not all dangerous email is unsolicited. Some of it could be from strangers your children have been in contact with. Children are far more likely to hand over their private details when offered a free reward or chance to win a prize. Has your child ever wanted to dial a 1900 number advertised on TV because it offered a chance to win a prize? The Internet is more sinister than this as it is often impossible to identify who or what is behind an enticement.

It is simply too dangerous to allow your children unrestricted access to the Internet or to email.

Should Children use Email?

Email has largely taken the place of postal mail. Children want to communicate with friends and family. There is Grandma who lives overseas, the Aunt who lives interstate, the friend who moved interstate because of a parent’s job transfer; all providing good valid reasons to use Internet email. Email is fast and cost effective. Email has no distance charging, unlike phone calls or postal mail.

Children also need an appreciation of the Internet to prepare them for their future. The Internet is a valuable tool to help with research for school projects, etc. Gaining knowledge of how to use the Internet will also help position children for secondary education and future employment. Without these skills it will become increasingly difficult for them to compete against other candidates.

Most parents agree that children do need to gain a good understanding of the Internet, but in a safe manner.

Options Available

Web surfing

It is difficult to protect children from stumbling onto a website that has inappropriate content. New websites are appearing every day and existing ones change their content.

There are software products available that provide some assistance, but they are not 100% fool proof due to the changing nature of the Internet.

The best method is to configure the browser so that it password protects each website your children want to visit. Voice offer a service to help parents set this up on Internet Explorer for a flat price of $25, or if they are users of Voice Internet access then this is offered at no charge.

Internet Email

KidSafe Email service blocks EVERY email that is sent to your child’s email address except for those from approved senders. This mechanism ensures that it is not just nearly safe, but rather it is completely safe. Parents can edit the allow list and the blocked list as required from a simple interface provided.

All email is also virus filtered for added protection.

KidSafe Email can be used as a complete spam and virus filtering solution for the whole family, parents and children alike.

See How it works and price.

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