Article Subject: Families get the 411 on sexting risk

Article Link: http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2011-02-22-sexting22_ST_N.htm

Article Rating: 3.0 (out of 5)

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Dr. Dato’s Brief:

Although this post is not related to online dating as such, I feel it is important in that it makes us more aware of some of the dangers today due to the widespread access of the internet that is available today. The internet has been around for quite a while but only in the last few years that the accessibility of the internet through the smart phones have opened many doors to the online social scene.

Whereas access to the internet could be controlled by parents a few years back when the PC was more ubiquitous, however, today the same technology now lies on the palm of our hand and is available to anyone. It is much more difficult to control the behavior of children and their access to the net. Inevitably, the online ’social’ scene draws millions of children online and they can engage in communication with pretty much anyone. With the tools and applications available for these devices, it allow as a greater degree of communication using all types of media such as voice, photos and video.

Unfortunately, the post reported here shows how easy it is for a young girl who got caught up with an online predator and was almost coerced into sex. Although as adults we can often use our own experience and good judgement to see through the charade but young children are more susceptible and they need to educated.

smart phones today makes accessibility of the internet available to everyone today