My point of view is that parents should not let their kids (under fourteen years of age) freely go to the internet without being observed, because brains under fourteen years are not fully developed. They do not distinguish between right or wrong. If you let them freely go online they would not know when they are off limits. For example, kids new to the internet are searching for some information for study, but suddenly a message pops up on the screen. Kids with inquisitive brains will open it to find out what is going on and they forget what they were previously looking for.
They might see some commercial advertising if they are lucky, but there is a danger that they will talk to and meet strangers who may not have the the childs best interests in mind.
The 'Alberta Children's Services, Omnibus Alberta' Online Safety, January 2006 has shown that
Ø 74% of Alberta parents surveyed believed children are at high or extremely high risk of sexual exploitation online.
Ø 51% of these same parents believed that their own children faced a much lower risk
Ø And only 24% said their own children were at serious risk of online sexual exploitation
I believe that most parents always think with the Internet activated at home kids will do homework easily. However, parents must be aware that Kids love the Internet. They can play games, do homework and chat with friends. But it can be a dangerous place for a child that does not know the rules. If you teach them the rules of staying safe on the Internet now, they are far less likely to be at risk when they are older.
For more on this issue have a look at the following sites:
http://www.microsoft.com/protect/family/guidelines/faq.mspx
http://www.fbi.gov/kids/k5th/safety2.htm
http://www.kidspot.com.au/article+415+75+Internet-safety-for-kids.htm
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