Internet safety seminar set
by JILL SCHMELZER Ken-Ton Editor

Parents not only have to worry about predators lurking in the park, outside school and at the supermarket, but they now have to take precautions in their own home. Pedophiles can reach their children through the computer, the television and other technologies.

According to national statistics for teens and the Web, about 71 percent of teenagers have established online profiles. Of those, approximately 65 percent of high school students have admitted to engaging in unsafe, inappropriate or illegal activities online.

Web sites such as MySpace, Facebook and Friendster give youths an opportunity to provide the public with personal information such as their address, phone number, school and age. The Web sites also allow users to post photographs of themselves and their friends.

Statistics show that nearly one in 10 teens has posted a cell phone number online and 49 percent of youths have posted other personal information on their Web sites.

Time Warner Cable has partnered with area schools to present a free Internet safety seminar for parents, students and teachers. Experts from the community, including New York State troopers, representatives from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and Time Warner Cable, will present information on the dangers of the Internet and how to spot red flags that your child may be in danger of being a victim of a predator.

"It's a town hall-style meeting, because we want people to raise questions and concerns for our experts to answer," said Robin Wolfgang of Time Warner Cable.

She noted that attendees will be given information on what is an appropriate amount of time a child should be allowed to surf the Internet. Parents should be aware of what sites their children are visiting as well as what sites are soliciting their children. Controls can be set on the computer preventing children from visiting certain Web sites. Other security systems can be set through Roadrunner, which is offered through Time Warner. These include blocking spam mail and allowing only specific users to e-mail their children.

This allows parents and teachers to monitor the incoming e-mails and ensure that the children are not accidently, or purposely, visiting the wrong Web sites, Wolfgang said.

"We want to teach parents what's available to them," Wolfgang said. "Because as more and more kids use the Internet and use it for more aspects, from education to entertainment, it's hard for parents and teachers to know what to do to make sure their kids are safe."

A panel of experts will also be available from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 9 at Williamsville South High School, 5950 Main St.

"With minors, you don't always know who they are responding to," Wolfgang said. "We're trying to make sure kids are protecting their information, not giving out their numbers, e-mail, addresses and not posting pictures on MySpace or Facebook."