Risks and Positive Effects of Internet Use for Education

Abstract: Teens can ask their online friends for help with homework. This may be important for teens who do not have older siblings or parents who can help them with their schoolwork. To protect their children, there are parents who use filtering software such as CyberPatrol, NetNanny and IPrism to block unwanted sites. Some parents insist that the computer be located in a space at home so that they can physically monitor their children online behavior or ask their teens to agree on using the Internet strictly for school-related purposes. The reality is that even parents succeed in denying access to a particular site at home, adolescents may find alternative ways by using, for instance, the computer at a friend’s house. This is why parents and teachers must use the teens themselves as defense. They may allow and encourage teens to use Internet for educational purposes and make them aware of the risks in online socializing and help them to develop their own strategies for staying safe in cyberspace