CAMP INTERNET Protecting kids from lewd websites

With advanced technology so accessible this day and age, even kids have developed keen interest in computers and especially the boundless limits of the Internet.

But the worldwide web which contains countless numbers of online sites, is now strafed with trashy and lewd webpages not meant for children.

With easy network access, what can stop these children from logging in to adult chatrooms and porno sites?

Parental guidance plays a part in ensuring that children are exposed only to positive and educational sites on the Internet.

According to Joeten Kiyu Public Library outreach program coordinator Roy Rechebei, technology experts can also lend a hand in addressing the growing concerns over the use of the Internet especially among curious children.

Camp Internet, a yearly summer program which teaches kids the basics in computers and Internet use, was established for this purpose.

Blocking obscene websites is not always possible without an initiative on the part of the PC owner to ban such sites.

At the summer camp, kids will be exposed to searching for webpage resources which would introduce them to “filtering” — a program which automatically restricts access to the so-called “illegal” sites on the web.

“Filtering programs prevent them from going into illegal type of sites such as porn or certain chatrooms that are for adults. Once they establish that, they will also be able to get into certain communities that are just for kids and they can also interact with schools, which is the most important part,” said Mr. Rechebei.

Filtering also narrows down the user’s web options to include only the relevant and educational sites, according to the technology expert.

Kids will also be taught to look out for malicious computer viruses circulating the globe.

At the end of 12 full sessions, Camp Internet kids will come out with a broader knowledge on Internet browsing and basic computer maintenance.

“A lot of kids experience that when they go on the Internet, they download all kinds of stuff but they don’t realize that it takes up space and slows the computer down,” said Mr. Rechebei.

Furthermore, participants will also learn the basics in webpage developing.

What makes this year’s Camp Internet unique is that children will be molded into maximizing the use of diskettes rather than produce hard copy print outs of their works.

“All of our classes will be stored in a disk and at every class session, they will establish an e-mail account, and through this, they will receive a news letter from me, indicating sites, what not to do and to do. Basically some fun stuff,” he added.

Mr. Rechebei’s major goal is to try to familiarize the students with alternatives to accomplishing research studies by searching for sites that are interactive.

The summer program started yesterday all the way to July 14 at the Joeten Kiyu Public Library in Susupe. It also offers Internet sessions to adults.

Camp Internet which has been offered at the public library for four straight years now is being sponsored by GTE Pacifica. (MM)