Dangers and Risks

Dangers and Risks Posed by IM Private Conversations ΓÇô With Anyone ΓÇô Are Easy Used properly, Instant Messaging can be very helpful and practical. Your kids can let you know they got home from school okay without disturbing you at the office. If the phone line is tied up and your child wants to know more about a homework assignment, he or she can IM a classmate to clarify the teacher's instructions. However, if your kids are unaware of the dangers posed by IM, they may not be as cautious about their IM communications as they should be. For all its appeal to young people, IM also poses a number of risks. An IM-equipped child can communicate anywhere, with anyone, at any time on the IM network ΓÇô all without a parent's knowledge.

The Profile Problem

Besides offering real-time contact with strangers or others who may seek to harm your child, Instant Messaging allows for the immediate dissemination of significant personal information. When your child signs up for an IM account, he or she is asked to fill out a personal profile that asks for key identifying information on the account holder. This personal profile is then placed in an Internet directory that can be viewed by all. The directory can be searched by name, date of birth, gender, and interests. Consequently, an unsuspecting child can effectively place himself or herself in a position to receive unsolicited offers of sex, pornography, and other dubious material.