The release of a series of graphic videos by terrorist organisation ISIS, which depict the beheadings of US journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff, as well as UK aid worker David Haines, have again highlighted the need to protect South African minors from access to harmful online information.
This is according to Athol Wesselink, chief engineer at OpenWeb, a nationwide internet service provider (ISP), who says that online content is not subjected to the strict monitoring guidelines of traditional media meaning that any internet savvy individual can upload content online.
“As a result, parents must understand that it is not the responsibility of search engines like Google to protect minors, but the responsibility of the parents themselves to actively monitor their children’s internet usage.”
Although there is an obligation on content hubs like Facebook, YouTube or other social media sites to protect minors, very often this is ineffective as minors are able to see / access content before it is removed.
Wesselink says that there are several ways for parents to implement security measures which will protect their children from harmful information.
Firstly, he says, parents simply cannot just leave their children alone with access to the internet and no parental controls
It is also a good idea to get children into the practice of asking their parents for permission before downloading content, says Wesselink.
“As an adult, it is hard to deal with these scenes of graphic violence as presented in the ISIS videos and one can only imagine what this does to someone who does not have the emotional maturity to handle this content. As a result, it is important that parents take the necessary steps to protect minors from information that is not age appropriate,” he says.
