Access to Inappropriate Information and Illicit Activity

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Banking , Accounting , Employment

Without much effort, a child may inadvertently or deliberately be exposed to online content that is obscene, pornographic, violent, racist, or otherwise offensive. The lack of oversight of the content in cyberspace means that misinformation is rampant, and access to contraband, including drugs, alcohol, guns, and gambling activities, goes unchecked. Among young people, computer misconduct can be more tempting in an environment that at least appears to be anonymous and devoid of standard rules of conduct. Without appropriate and clear identification of content and actions that are unsuitable for minors, the well-being of young people online is at risk. This reality necessitates explicit rules regarding access to content on the Internet, critical analysis skills, and implementation of reasonable consequences for violations. In educational contexts, some teachers also undertake the added precaution of prescreening all online material, including e-mail communication, as a preventative measure.