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Jóvenes e internet: Entre el pensar y el sentir

María Teresa Quiroz

Lima: Universidad de Lima, Fondo Editorial (2004), 246 pp.

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Our Children at Risk Online: The Example of Thailand

Isabelle Michelet

Bangkok: ECPAT International (2003), 46 pp.

"The results of this survey amply demonstrate that young Thais, like other children worldwide, are attracted to the entertaining and educational qualities of the Internet and related communication tools, and much more intensively so than is appreciated by adults. Young people also quickly understand ... that cyberspace offers possibilities that are different from those in the real world. Rather than trying to replicate in the virtual world what they have at home, they often enthusiastically use these possibilities to gain a whole new sense of freedom. This is apparent in their interest in chat rooms, where they can “meet” people of all ages, social backgrounds and levels of knowledge; their openness to the possibility of posing on the net as an entirely new character; and their fondness for virtual friends with whom they can talk about taboo subjects without any perceivable risk. However, since no environment – physical or virtual – is devoid of dangers, young Thais who engage in such online activities expose themselves to risks. These risks can be minimised, just as they are in the physical world, if children are made aware of them and taught how to behave and respond to imposters. This survey reveals that most young Thais, irrespective of age, are metaphorically diving into a swimming pool without knowing how to swim properly and with no lifebuoy nearby. They are rarely trained on how to use the Internet and related tools, they are scarcely informed of the possible dangers of their actions, they do not benefit from sufficient parental and/or teacher guidance and support, and they are usually alone when they venture online. As expected, their level of exposure online to pornography, invitations to discuss sex and impostors is very high, while their level of readiness to handle such situations is low. Their trust in the strangers they identify as “virtual friends” is such that many do not mind sharing personal details and many accept face-to-face meetings – often alone. Unsurprisingly, the proportion of these young people who have already gone through shocking or even traumatic experiences is far from insignificant, even though most must have been using the net for only a few years." (Conclusion, page 40-41) more