Overview

Children are using the internet at increasingly younger ages (some by kindergarten). As they age their access and usage expands to include mobile computers and cell phones. Consequently, children become more and more susceptible to inappropriate behavior, abuse, and potentially harmful online interactions.

In addition to the recognized threats from pedophiles, recent studies show that kids regularly prey on each other online resulting in cyber abuse.
Cyber abuse includes:

• Illegal interaction by adults
• Cyber Bullying (online embarrassment, harassment and/or threats)
• Illegal access to computers and accounts (acquiring passwords without authorization)
• Lying about age, appearance and/or identity, often for social networking access
• Illegal use of credit cards to commit fraud or to access social network sites
• Posting or sending indiscrete data (inappropriate photos and other personal information about themselves or others)
• Posting or sending inappropriate solicitations that are illegal or unwanted by recipients.

Websites today lack effective tools to limit access to children because there is little or no public identity data on children. Current laws (COPPA) restrict data access. Existing solutions, such a credit card submissions, are inadequate.

Parents, teachers, and children themselves want a safer online environment. A viable solution must include:

• Accountability (even if allowing onsite anonymity)
• Provision for quick resolution of abuses
• Denial of access to potential repeat offenders
• Limiting access to adult content
• Assuring interaction based on age, geographic location, etc.
• Allowing parental control and/or monitoring of children’s online activities.