Precautions of webcam dangers for teens and tweens

Parents and guardians at home should monitor the webcam activities of children, teens and tweens. It is their responsibility to ensure that they are using the device (computer, Internet and webcam) appropriately. It is not uncommon for the younger ones to get carried away with the freedoms of webcam like talking about things that should not be spoken of on the webcams because video footage of it can be saved and become vulnerable.

Apart from this, there is one more important danger to mention here. The teens and tweens can feel comfortable about performing risqué acts on the webcam like chatting with a boyfriend. This is not something that can be acceptable and also it is to be understood that the video can later be viewed by others who were never intended to see it.

Where to Place a Webcam

It is very important that the webcam should be placed in a heavily used room and be designated as a family-shared device. Parents have fun using a webcam to keep in touch with far away family and friends, so it is only fair that everyone have the chance to use it.

Limit Webcam Usage

Also, parents should ensure setting up limits on how long the younger ones should use the webcam in a single session, but it should be enough time to enjoy the interaction. Don’t make it too long that imaginations start to wander and inappropriate conversations and actions take place.

It is common that teens and tweens start a web show on the webcam. This make us recollect the popular TV series iCarly that undoubtedly made the use of webcams explode. It will bring a home into view of potential viewers. While a web show itself can be fun and tasteful, it does make the location of the show vulnerable.

Highly Potential Webcam Dangers

Parents can purchase monitoring software to track webcam usage in the home. This will help make sure that kids are using the device appropriately. Webcams can be a fun communication device for the entire family. Keep it that way for a long time to come.

Protecting Teens From Internet Dangers

A survey in the year 2008 found that two-thirds of mothers of teens were equally concerned about online safety as they were about typical teen dangers such as drugs or drunk driving. Their concerns are well-founded: the same study found, for example that more than half of kids had given personal information to someone they did not know, and 63 percent know how to hide what they are doing from their parents, which clearly indicates that their parents would not approve of their behavior.

Another survey conducted for McAfee revealed a startling disconnect between the concerns parents verbalized in the earlier survey and the steps they should be taking to address those concerns:

Using Security Software

According to the survey, four out of five parents don’t turn on security software. This is a simple way to provide an extra level of protection for kids. While such software won’t solve the problem completely, it will help filter out questionable content and/or help parents track their child’s online behavior. There is a variety of such software for parents to choose from, depending on their particular needs.

Monitoring Online Behavior

Less than half of parents surveyed don’t check what their kids are doing online. Parents who would supervise their teen in a crowd full of strangers need to realize that this is exactly the environment that the internet provides: a crowd full of strangers. The fact that this world is accessed from the perceived safety of the home doesn’t change that. Parents can monitor in a variety of ways, such as direct supervision, using monitoring software, or checking the browser history.

Talking About Internet Safety

An astonishing two-thirds of parents surveyed don’t discuss online security with their kids. Perhaps these parents assume kids pick this information up in school, or maybe they aren’t sure what to say or how to bring up the topic. Regardless, it’s vital that parents make sure kids are aware of the risks they may encounter online. Kids can’t protect themselves and make smart decisions about their online behavior without this knowledge.

Supervising Computer Use

A survey reveals 30 percent of the younger ones are allowed to surf the internet alone in their rooms. Ideally, it is advised that computers should be located in a centralized spot where kids are not left alone. It makes them easy to take risks and venture into questionable sites in the privacy of their own rooms. Whatever they’re doing online should be out in the open. A periodic peek from a nearby parent shouldn’t be a problem unless they are doing something they shouldn’t be doing.

It is learned that most of the parents have failed to take basic safety precautions when it comes from protecting their younger one. It is suggested they should get involved in what their teens and tweens are doing online to make sure their online safety.