Internet – Hazardous as a Pandemic?

(Net Precautions part 2)

We’re picking up where we left off last time. For our kids to better understand the Internet and make proper use of it, let’s define some terms associated with it…

Computer Terms. Understand both technical and slang computer terms when referencing downloading, files sharing and other computer uses. For example, “ripping” is slang commonly used to describe copying. “Warez” (pronounced “ware-z”) is used to describe software that has been illegally stripped of its copyright protection.

Appropriate and Legal. Know your bounds. Know what is legal usage of a computer software and what is not. For instance, personal, self-created works may be legally shared on P2P (peer-to-peer) networks, but sharing copyrighted works without permission from the creator is illegal and may be categorized as plagiarism.

Risks and Consequences. There are risks and consequences associated with file-sharing, downloading and copying software, music, movies and games illegally. Parents are also urged to talk to children about the economics behind piracy and illegal uploading and downloading. Demonstrate that there are real consequences, both for themselves and for the authors of the creative works. We have to let our kids know that there are repercussions.

Rules. Just like with my Keoni, I’ve established house ground rules that include computer usage. These rules are “golden” and I made it appoint that these rules reinforce what they are learning in school currently. Rules at school and rules at home should mirror one another.

Present Alternatives. We can avoid our kids immersion into piracy and illegal file sharing by offering incentives and legal alternatives to illegal file-sharing and downloading by giving them gift certificate to National Book Store or CDR-King as rewards for good behavior or we could set aside part of their allowance for purchasing music, software, games and other entertainment and educational products.

Communicate More. Let’s not be remiss in monitoring our kids’ computer habits and usage. Several conversations may be necessary as they develop an understanding of what is legal and safe and what is not.

To sum this all up, responsible parenting also should always include “knowing what your kids are into, and what they do “on the Net.” We should make an effort to take the extra precaution. There are sites such as www.b4usurf.org that could give you more helpful tips about cyber-ethics and cyber-safety.

The Business Software Alliance is the foremost organization dedicated to promoting a safe and legal digital world. BSA is the voice of the world’s commercial software industry and its hardware partners before governments and in the international marketplace.

Its members represent one of the fastest growing industries in the world. BSA programs foster technology innovation through education and policy initiatives that promote copyright protection, cyber security, trade and e-commerce. BSA members include Adobe, Agilent Technologies, Altium, Apple, Autodesk, Bentley Systems, CA, Cadence Design Systems, Cisco Systems, CNC Software/Mastercam, Corel, CyberLink, Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corporation, Dell, Embarcadero, Frontline PCB Solutions - An Orbotech Valor Company, HP, IBM, Intel, Intuit, McAfee, Microsoft, Mindjet, Minitab, NedGraphics, PTC, Quark, Quest Software, Rosetta Stone, SAP, SAS Institute, Siemens, Sybase, Symantec, Synopsys, Tekla, The MathWorks and Trend Micro.

In the Philippines, the BSA maintains a Memorandum of Understanding with the Philippine Software Industry Association, Philippine Internet Services Organization, the Institute of Internal Auditors, the Association of Government Internal Auditors, the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines, the Pilipinas Anti-Piracy Team and the Intellectual Property Coalition.

I think it’s important to be abreast with the situation in the Internet and know that it is wise to leave the lines of communication with our kids open. Updating internet users is the only way to ensure that the children today are 100% protected from all forms of cyber threats.“