Cpunx: For your amusment - nicked from the local Telco web site. I especially enjoy the link between role playing games, satanism and computing. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- CHILDREN AND COMPUTERS: THE HIDDEN DANGER Dear Parent: With the never ending development of computer technology and as an increasing number of people become computer literate, it is much more likely that our children may be victimized or exploited in a computer environment. If your child has a home computer (or access to someone elseÆs computer), especially those equipped with a modem, then please take the time to review this guide and become familiar with the behavioural warning signs. It will only take a few minutes and may prevent devastating problems in the future. Keep in mind, however, that no matter how ôawareö you are of these warning signs, the most important safeguard is to monitor the contacts that your children are making in this unrestricted environment and regulate their computer related activities. In addition, do not allow your children to isolate themselves from family or friends by engaging in solitary computer activities for hours on end. A computer should never become a substitute for social interaction. 1984 Government Study TodayÆs children are being weaned on video games and quickly move to computers. Society has high hopes for this technically literate generation, but the proliferation of microcomputers and computer literacy also means that more and more assets will be stored on computer systems and the community of potential computer criminals will increase astronomically. Tips for Safe Computing PARENTS Please advise your children to observe the following safety rules whenever they are ôon-lineö. Remind them that no matter how safe and/or friendly the BBS seems (and this includes the major services as well as the Internet), there is always a potential for danger. They Should: òNever give out any personal information about themselves - particularly full names, addresses, phone numbers, financial information, etc. to anyone they meet on line. òAvoid responding to anyone who leaves them obnoxious, sexual or menacing E-mail. They should not become involved in public ôFlameö sessions as they have no idea who they are dealing with and what access an individual may have to their account information. òReport all electronic harassment and/or abuse to their parents. As parents, you should notify the SYSTEM OPERATOR (SYSOP) of the problem. If the SYSTEM OPERATOR does not give you satisfaction in stopping this abuse, the police should be notified. òNever set up face to face meetings alone with anyone they have met on the BBS. They should always take someone with them and always meet in a public place. òNever have someone come to their house until they get to know them and until they are satisfied that they have given accurate personal information about the individual. òSafeguard all credit card and telephone card numbers. They should pay for BBS services by money order whenever practical. PARENTS: Notify the police of all attempts by adults to set up meetings with your children. This is by far the most dangerous situation for children and should be prosecuted when appropriate. ôThe modern thief can steal more with a computer than with a gun, and tomorrowÆs terrorist may be able to do more damage with a keyboard than with a bombö. National Research Council Washington, D.C. Some Child Behavioural Warning Signs: Computer Addiction òWithdraws from friends, family etc. May lose interest in social activities. òUse of new (unusual) vocabulary, heavy with computer terms, satanic phrase or sexual reference (or sudden interest in related posters, music, etc.) Look for related doodling or writing. òUse of words such as: hacking, phreaking or any words with ôphö replacing ôfö. òLack of interest in self and appearance or indications of lack of sleep, (which might indicate late night modem-play). Other Potential Danger Signs òComputer and modem running late at night (even when unattended). òStoring of computer files ending in: GIF, JPG, MPG, AVI, MOV, BMP, TIF, PCX, DL, GL or unusual CDÆs; these are video or graphic image files and parents should know what they illustrate. òNames on communications programs which seem satanic or pornographic. òObsession with fantasy adventure games, (Dungeons and Dragons, Trade Wars, Sexcapade, etc). òUse of computer to scan or run telephone numbers or credit card numbers, (look for ôsequential diallingö programs). What you can do to Protect your Children Talk to your children about their use of the computer Know What They are Doing òIf possible, keep the computer in a ôcommonö area of your home, such as a family room or den. òYou decide if your child has a legitimate need for a modem. òIf a modem is being used, control the activity by monitoring times used and numbers dialled. Closely Monitor your Long Distance Bill òIf the computer is left running unattended, check the screen. òIf it is showing a series of four digit numbers, the computer is trying to identify calling card ôPINö numbers. òIf it is showing a series of sixteen digit numbers, the computer is trying to validate credit card numbers. òIf you are not computer literate, make sure you at least learn the basics about computers, take a course or have your child teach you. Courtesy of: Chief Alfred O. Olsen Warwick Township Police Department Lititz, Pennsylvania, USA