COUNSELOR WARNS OF ONLINE RISK; INTERNET A THREAT TO FAMILIES, HE SAYS.Byline: Lisa Mascaro Daily News Staff Writer To investigate Web sites potentially harmful to young people, counselor Craig Chalquist calls on the experts - teen-agers who surf the Internet and have seen the stuff. What he's found is a world of stolen term papers, violent video games See video game console. and adult-oriented chat rooms, not to mention the Starr report - all files he believes most parents should be monitoring more closely. ``Basically, anything you can imagine is out there. Kids can find this stuff and see it and, if they want, put it on their computer,'' said Chalquist, a counseling intern intern /in·tern/ (in´tern) a medical graduate serving in a hospital preparatory to being licensed to practice medicine. in·tern or in·terne n. at Cornerstone Counseling Center. ``Some of the stuff we hear from them was pretty appalling.'' At a workshop tonight, Chalquist will lead a discussion with parents about the dangers of the Internet and how to protect the family and the home computer. He says a range of problems can arise from unmonitored computer use by minors, from well-documented cases of child abuse to lesser-known accounts of family computers being tampered with when children reveal passwords or download files into the system. By supervising children's use of the Internet and installing protective software, he believes most families can avoid problems that may arise from youngsters' computer use. ``The overall philosophy is not to let your kids have unlimited Internet access See how to access the Internet. ,'' he said. ``We help them learn what's out there and what to do about it to protect their kids.'' Cornerstone, a year-old counseling center in Simi Valley Simi Valley (sē`mē, sĭm`ē), city (1990 pop. 100,217), Ventura co., SW Calif. in an oil, fruit, and farm region; laid out 1887, inc. 1969. , provides counseling services that specialize spe·cial·ize v. 1. To limit one's profession to a particular specialty or subject area for study, research, or treatment. 2. To adapt to a particular function or environment. in abusive Tending to deceive; practicing abuse; prone to ill-treat by coarse, insulting words or harmful acts. Using ill treatment; injurious, improper, hurtful, offensive, reproachful. situations, such as domestic violence. Chalquist, who facilitates a teen group at the center, routinely asks the youngsters what they find on the Net and what problem areas they have uncovered. Coupled with his own investigations online, he has compiled information parents can use to keep homes safe. ``There's just a lot of stuff teens come across on the Internet parents should know about,'' he said. WEB TIPS A workshop discussing Dangers on the Web - What Every Teacher and Parent Must Know will be held at 7 tonight at Cornerstone Counseling Center, 1633 Erringer Road, Simi Valley. The cost is $15. Information: (805) 319-0547. Among the tips to be discussed are: Instruct in·struct v. in·struct·ed, in·struct·ing, in·structs v.tr. 1. To provide with knowledge, especially in a methodical way. See Synonyms at teach. 2. To give orders to; direct. v. children about computer safety, such as keeping passwords secret. Use e-mail programs Software in the user's computer that can access the mail servers in a local or remote network. Also known as an "e-mail client," "mail client," "mail program," and "mail reader," it provides the ability to send and receive e-mail messages and file attachments. to block or filter offensive mail. Use a service provider with strict privacy policies. Routinely check downloaded files for inappropriate links. Report online sexual abuse to the police. CAPTION(S): box Box: Web tips (see text) |
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