Online Safety in the News

Top Ten Ways to Stay Safe Online

The Internet is supposed to make our lives better, and for most of us, that's exactly what it does. But the Internet has a dark side, and unless we take the proper precautions, this wonderful tool can end up causing us more harm than good.

You don't have to be a computer genius to protect yourself online and you don't have to spend a lot of money. By following a few common sense tips, you can make the most out of your Internet experience, while protecting you and your family from online threats.

Prescription For Drug Danger Online

Online "Rogue Sites" Sell Dangerous Medications - With No Prescription Needed

As an addiction therapist working with kids, Larry Fritzlan has seen plenty of pills. But he was shocked by the supply one patient turned in to flush down the drain.

“He brought in so many I thought we maybe we would screw up the local sewer system,” said Fritzlan. "He brought ... it was a large brown envelope and I’m guessing there were a couple thousand pills."

All bought on the Internet. A study released today shows how the Internet has become an uncontrolled marketplace for what are supposed to be tightly controlled drugs like pain killers and tranquilizers.

Internet luring a real and present danger

For generations, parents have taught the "don't talk to strangers" rule to their children, but that rule has a whole new meaning now that kids can chat with strangers all over the world via the internet.

The internet luring problem has become so serious that it has helped push the federal government to raise the age of consent in Canada by two years — a law that came into effect in May 2008.

To the relief of many parents across the country, the Tackling Violent Crime Act raised the legal age of sexual consent in Canada to 16 from 14, the first time it has been raised since 1892.

Net safety comes to forefront in June

Police offer advice for teens, parents

The Broomfield Police Department is stepping up its efforts to crack down on Internet predators, but they need local parents to help.

The department is one of many around the country that recognizes June as National Internet Safety Month. Police are using the event to raise awareness of child predators and to alert parents to the threats posed by new technology.

While the Internet presents children with unlimited educational opportunities, it also presents real dangers.

The Undercover Parent

NOT long ago, friends of mine confessed over dinner that they had put spyware on their 15-year-old son’s computer so they could monitor all he did online. At first I was repelled at this invasion of privacy. Now, after doing a fair amount of research, I get it.

Make no mistake: If you put spyware on your computer, you have the ability to log every keystroke your child makes and thus a good portion of his or her private world. That’s what spyware is — at least the parental monitoring kind. You don’t have to be an expert to put it on your computer. You just download the software from a vendor and you will receive reports — weekly, daily, whatever — showing you everything your child is doing on the machine.