WAVE 3 TV Louisville, KY | Parents urged to keep an eye on their child's internet usage

Parents urged to keep an eye on their child's internet usage

By Connie Leonard

LOUISVILLE (WAVE) -- On his first full day on the job as Kentucky Attorney General, Jack Conway joined Congressman John Yarmuth in an internet safety forum at Meyzeek Middle School. As WAVE 3's Connie Leonard tells us, the two joined local police officers and educators to try and warn parents, if their kids are on the internet and not being monitored they could be in trouble.

Child predators are on the prowl from the comfort of their computers. According to internet safety groups, one in four teen girls and one in seven teen boys admit, they met strangers on the internet. With first amendment rights and the interference with interstate and international commerce, regulation and legislation are difficult.

"The real answer is a combination of parental vigilance and awareness and law enforcement." said 3^rd District Congressman John Yarmuth. 

Yarmuth and Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway gathered a panel of experts Tuesday to talk about everything from MySpace safety to not letting a child have a computer in their bedroom to what's known as cyber-bulling. Conway told WAVE 3 News, "It's an issue that's really of concern to young parents throughout the commonwealth because these kids who are 12 and 13 years old go off to schools and they're really more adept at the computer than their parents are." 

Mark Neblett and his sister Sheila Stanton took part in the forum. In 2006, Neblett's 17-year old daughter Rachel committed suicide after being harassed on the internet. Ever since, the two have been working to get an anti-bullying bill passed in Frankfort. In the meantime, they are trying to get the message out to parents. But Neblett and Stanton tell WAVE 3 they are disappointed in the small crowds at the forums they've been to so far -- especially in Bullitt County where Neblett lives.

Stanton said of the informational forums for parents, "I just can't tell parents enough before Rachel, before her death, I probably didn't think about it either." 

"It won't happen to my child," Neblett believes most parents tell themselves. "That's probably what I thought. It was so devastating when it happened to me. Now, knowing what I do know, I might have been able to do something. The information that we give out and the information that we mentioned that's out there it's very important."

Conway said a big part of the problem is parents who aren't around when their kids are on the internet. In those cases, he says it's up to local educators to let children know if they ever see something embarrassing or questionable on the internet they must tell an adult.

If you are a parent who was not able to attend the forum and would like information, go to Congressman Yarmuth's Website by clicking on the highlighted link.

Online Reporter:  Connie Leonard

Online Producer: Charles Gazaway