| A USA Today article that ran in July 2005 cited | | | | that is provided at no charge as long as the user |
| findings from a survey conducted by the Kaiser | | | | agrees to accept the adware." So a child could |
| Family Foundation. They found that during the | | | | download a "free" game or screensaver that has |
| school year, kids between the ages of 8 and 10 | | | | adware attached to it. This adware will install itself |
| years old spent an average of 6 hours per day | | | | on your computer, track all of your Internet |
| watching television, playing video games and/or | | | | activity and show you advertising in the form of |
| using computers.Since more than half of | | | | annoying pop-ups or banner ads. If your kids are |
| America's 100 million households have Internet | | | | like mine, they don't always read the fine print |
| access, I can only assume that some of their | | | | and just click on the "I accept" button to get their |
| computer time is spent in online activities. My | | | | freebies!Talk to your kids about Internet |
| question is how safe are these kids? Do they | | | | advertising and Adware. Let them know that they |
| know what to look out for? Do they know how | | | | are the same as ads on TV. Someone just wants |
| to handle themselves online?Here are some topics | | | | you to buy their new product. Take your kids to |
| to discuss with your children. Keep in mind that | | | | PBS' Don't Buy It! website ( ) for great |
| each family has their own rules for Internet use. | | | | information on Internet and other media |
| Some parents don't allow their children to be on | | | | advertising.Inappropriate Content.The Internet is a |
| the Internet at all, others will monitor their child's | | | | great place to find information for any school |
| Internet use, and still others have no concern and | | | | science project or report. Just type in a phrase or |
| let their kids surf wherever and whenever they | | | | topic in any search engine and you will get loads |
| want.Strangers.The Internet is a wonderful place | | | | of links with useful information. But there are also |
| to meet people from all around the world. I | | | | many sites that contain inappropriate content |
| remember having a pen pal when I was young | | | | under presumably innocent searches.My friend |
| and would check the mail every day to see if I | | | | was looking up information for her daughter's |
| got a letter. Now all one has to do is turn on the | | | | animal report and typed in "horse lovers" in a |
| computer and check their Inbox! Friends who are | | | | search engine, figuring that she may get horse |
| separated by a move can still talk every day | | | | enthusiast sites dedicated to providing information |
| through email, chat rooms and Instant Messaging | | | | on their favorite animal. She got sites with horses |
| (IM).The drawback to this is that no one knows | | | | on them, but they were horse lovers of a |
| who you really are on the Internet. Even in | | | | COMPLETELY different kind... And not too long |
| so-called "safe" chat rooms someone can be | | | | ago, there was a site at that was of an adult |
| posing as a teenager and they are really a | | | | nature. (The real White House site is at only way |
| predator. Just as you wouldn't want your kids to | | | | to be sure that your child does not inadvertently |
| tell a stranger on the street where they live, you | | | | find themselves on the wrong site is to be with |
| don't want them to do so online either. Teach | | | | them and guide them in their searches. It is also |
| your children to never tell anyone online their | | | | helpful to use a search engine specifically designed |
| names, addresses or other pertinent information.If | | | | for children such as or of how much or how little |
| you decide to allow your children to use IM or | | | | your kids are on the Internet, take a minute to |
| chat rooms, monitor their activity. Set up their | | | | talk with them about the benefits and dangers |
| profile yourself and give as little information as | | | | involved in being online. Let them explore some |
| possible. It may be helpful for you and your child | | | | sites that will help them learn about Internet |
| to watch the short movie "Tracking Teresa" on | | | | safety. Here are a few that are extremely helpful |
| the Kidsmartz.org website ( Just like TV, there | | | | when teaching Internet Safety to |
| are lots of ads on the Internet. Unlike TV, we | | | | kids:Netsmartz.org - Teens - |
| don't get a break from them! They are | | | | Netsmartzkids.org - Kids - |
| everywhere! They show up as pop-up ads, | | | | (this site is specialized for each state) - |
| banners, hover boxes, games and they are even | | | | Disney's CyberNetiquette -- remember - be |
| disguised as articles or information items. They | | | | involved in your children's Internet activity. Teach |
| warn you that your computer is infected, you | | | | them to use this powerful tool responsibly. It will |
| have new mail, you are the umpteenth-million | | | | save them time and you headaches as you travel |
| visitor to this site or they may look like a survey | | | | the World Wide Web.Lisa Workman is the author |
| or poll. And ads on sites geared for kids are often | | | | of Tokens for TV: A Sensible Approach to |
| very inviting and intriguing.Along with ads we also | | | | Balancing Television, Video Game and Computer |
| have adware. Microsoft defines adware as | | | | Activities. How much time does your child spend |
| "Advertising that is integrated into software. | | | | "plugged in" to some sort of electronic device? |
| Adware is often combined with a host application | | | | |