Realwomen of BC - Archives - September2006

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THE REAL NEWS The R.E.A.L WOMEN of BC Newsletter September 2006, P.O. Box 39068, Point Grey RPO, Vancouver, BC V6R 4P1, Tel/Fax: 604- 463-1611, website: http://www.realwomen.bc.ca
Kids surf web unattended (CTV.ca News Staff-May 8, 2006) According to a Leger Marketing poll, 83 per cent of parents say that they leave their children unattended on the internet while 50 per cent of parents assume that the internet is safe. However, according to the poll, 14 per cent of children admitted talking to strangers on the net and another l9 per cent say that they had been bullied. Karen Robbins, AOL Canada's online safety expert says that the internet is a dangerous place for kids. "Today's children are really the first generation whose safety can be compromised in their own home, at their own desk -- simply by being online. "In today's world of high tech, parents have to take time to learn about computers and the internet in order to safeguard their children. There are concerns about some websites such as MySpace.com where teenagers share their hobbies with others online. However, it is quite easy to find out more about the teenagers, including where they live. The national tip line, Cybertip.ca, was established to facilitate reports on suspicious activities on the web, such as a person trying to lure a child to meet. People can report such activities on the website or by phone. According to The Globe and Mail,Cybertip.ca has received 11,000 reports mostly on online child exploitation.