Internet Safety
The internet is the heart of global networking, a platform for production, distribution, and use of information for different purposes; communication, business, entertainment, news, and education. It has made life better and more comfortable. However, as with all these technological benefits, it has brought with it several adverse effects; addiction, inappropriate and illegal materials, and misusing it for spurious activities. It is unfortunate that in these current times, the children are the ones who are more exposed. Internet safety involves measures that promote a parent’s awareness of the risks associated with their children’s time on the internet, personal safety, and self-protection methods. Different sources dictate different guidelines to promote internet safety. Comparing these sources aids in reviewing the information provided and its significance at a greater depth.
The article and Easter’s poem both stress on the responsibility of the parents to ensure that their children are safe online. Both of them acknowledge the fact that the internet is no longer a safe zone for the children; the presence of internet predators, false identities, numerous websites with unsafe information, and hackers. However, their ideologies on how to go about promoting internet safety differ. In the article, the author provides tools and guidelines on how to protect their children. For instance, establishing firm ground rules on the when and where their child can access the internet, using a shared family computer, utilizing the parental controls, and warning them against meeting individuals they have only known via the internet. Additionally, the author emphasizes on the necessity of every parent to get acquainted with the concepts of the computer and internet (2019). On the other hand, the poem provides another alternative to ensure that the children are safe on the internet – through God’s Word (Easter, 2006). It mentions that once the children are raised and trained in a Christian manner, gifting them with counsel and guidance that comes from God, then they will be well-equipped to fight off temptations like engaging in improper internet activities.
Moreover, the two sources also differ in the mechanics or rather, the components they have incorporated. The article has not quite captured all the elements of a newspaper article but has embraced most of them. It includes a headline that provides general information on what the item is about and a lead that summarizes the main idea. With these two elements, the reader can decide whether to continue with the reading or not. Either way, they are fully aware of what the article is about. The main points or items in the report are divided into simple groups to aid in understanding. However, it lacks a conclusion or a summary statement that gives an overview of the content. As for the poem, it follows a regular meter but requires the most fundamental tool of poetry, which is rhyme. It also incorporates the use of imagery and symbolism. For instance, the poet describes the internet as an “information highway” (Easter, 2006). Furthermore, the poem has utilized diction and connotation that communicates the feelings and tone of the poet exhaustive
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The structure is the overall form or arrangement of an item. These two sources have different structures. First, the article has the formation of a nut graph; it begins with a “hook”, in the form of a question (2019), which captures the attention of its audience. Next, it provides an informative summary of the issue of internet safety; reasons why it is dangerous and steps to follow to ensure that the parent is up to date with the child’s online activities. The rest of the body paragraphs explore the summarized ideas in greater detail with comprehensive background information. As for the poem, it has a more simplified and basic structure. It is made up of multiple simple stanzas enabling the reader to focus on various ideas simultaneously. Also, it employs the use of short lines, four in each verse, which makes it easy to read. The poem has a robust sense of structure. That is, it is easy to follow through since the ideas flow effortlessly from beginning to end.
Language defines the ability of a source to pass its intended message. The article employs a clear and unambiguous style. It is neither vague nor abstract, and it uses detailed descriptions that the reader can visualize and relate to. For example, the author explains how to access control tools via Internet Explorer (2019). Also, the language used is concise and familiar to the reader. The absence of jargons and complex ideologies makes the article easy to understand and follow. Similarly, the poem also incorporates a plain and direct style in communication. The language is free from evasiveness and goes straight to the issue at hand.
Conclusively, despite the differences between the two sources, they both present the notion of internet safety effectively. Disparities in structure, language, and mechanics should not deter the reader from focusing on the issue at hand. With devices like laptops, smartphones, tablets, and gaming consoles within the children’s reach, it is easy to access the online world anywhere and anytime. Internet safety is essential since it lays down guidelines and regulations on how to avoid risky scenarios that may lead to massive consequences in the future.
References
Easter, L. (2006, February 13). Children & Teens On The Internet. Retrieved from https://www.poemhunter.com/poem/children-teens-on-the-internet/
Keep Your Child Safe By Learning About The Internet And Children. (2019, July 23). Retrieved from https://childdevelopmentinfo.com/family-living/kids-media-safety/children-teens-web-internet-safety/#gs.7w9wmj