Strict privacy laws are not thesolution

-Shweta Powar,

I do keep a tab on the online activities of my child. My 13year-old daughter uses the internet for approximately one hour daily. She surfs the internet for her project work usually. Also, at times she uses it to cat with her friends which I think is alright as one should know how to effectively use the medium rather than being addicted to it. The atmosphere at home is such that my daughter feels free to discuss details about how and what she spends her time online. I have maintained a friendly relationship with my child so I am not worried. I don't think strict privacy laws are the solution. Parents could develop a rapport with the kids so that they understand where to draw the line and what content should be viewed and avoided.

It's a whole wild world world out there

Moksh Juneja,

According to a new study, seven out of 10 kids are victims of cyber bullying. Speak Up asks parents if they monitor kids's online activities

Install software to track child's internet details

On the internet, the best form of moderation is self-censorship. If one wants to access any banned site on the internet, he can always use proxy servers.

7 out of 10 kids at risk of cyber bullying: Survey

July 07, 2010

Divyesh Singh. Munbai

Parents, watch out. The online activities childern could be making them victims of cyber harassment and bullying, leaving them mentally disturbed, says a survey.

Over seven in 10 Indian children have had negative experiences online.

These include virus or spam attacks, unwanted advances from strangers and email scams run by the cyber mafia, according to the survey. It says such instances have risen to alarming levels in the country, creating scope for psychological damage to children.

'Children's online life should be monitored'

Puja Pednekar

Parents and schools find it hard to keep tabs on children's internet activities. With latest gizmos and internet access at their fingertips, parents and schools say that it is very difficult to ensure their safety against unscrupulous elements online.

And today's Subject ... is Facebook

AS CYBER-BULLYING AND ONLINE FEUDS spreads in urban schools, teachers and principals are stepping in to mediate. On the agenda in the new academic year: Discussion groups, ethics workshops and field trips to the cybercrime cell

On Facebook, you have to be 13 or older to sign up, but you can just lie. My whole class is on Facebook and Orkut. You can be 17, 18 or even 40 if you want.

Radhika Raj

Ritika Mehta (12, name changed) was playing games on her PC by age 4, before she could even spell the word 'computer'.