SALT LAKE CITY — By the time they're 10, one-third of children have encountered hard-core pornography online. And technology may introduce other dangers, from cyber bullying to sexting and online predators.

Internet safety experts say parents know some of the dangers but assume it's not happening to their kids. They might be wrong.

"I would just caution parents that online problems can be just as big and important and consequential as offline problems," says Stanley Holditch of InternetSafety.com.

Holditch tells parents to ask their kids for a tour of their favorite websites and friends online. Then parents should create their own accounts, as if they were children of that age, to see what their kids experience online.

The message is part of his job. InternetSafety.com is a subscription service that tries to stop children from venturing into cyberspace's bad neighborhoods. But he's as passionate about teaching parents what's out there and how to keep their children away from the worst of it, he said.

Holditch uses the example of a furry-looking virtual pet to show how a child's interest can be used in ways that don't serve the child's interest. It's the example because it's familiar to parents; anything could be used. A child is told he can "earn" a paintbrush to change the pet's color just by clicking a link. The link could be innocuous advertising — or it might access an e-mail address book or plant spyware or turn a computer into a spam program's bot, all using a "kid's naivete and vulnerability to gain access." Parents need to pay attention.

Holditch suggests parents allow children only approved contacts for e-mail. Instant messaging should be monitored, he said.

Stephen Larsen has a similar message, delivered directly to children. Larsen works for the NetSmartz program, sponsored by the Utah Attorney General's Office. He works out of the Murray Boys & Girls Club.

Larsen warns kids about cyber bullying on cell phones, in chat rooms and across social networking sites. He tells them about online predators — who nearly always disguise themselves as a benign and understanding peer. People tend to think the victims are always girls; it's not the case. Boys get drawn in, too, usually by someone pretending to be a slightly older girl.

Sexting is in its own class of trouble, partly because the child participates, Larsen said, providing a provocative picture of some sort. A lot of kids think it's OK, he said, because they're "sending it to a significant other." He talks about breakups that turn nasty and "revenge" between friends. He tells youths about the tie to cyber bullying, since the photos can be used that way.

And he emphasizes legal consequences.

"If you are caught sending or in possession of a pornographic image on your phone, you can be charged with a felony" in some cases, he said.

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Not to mention the real damage it does. Both cyber bullying and sexting have been responsible for suicides, Larsen said.

He also warns them to protect their futures. It's hard to call back something unleashed in cyberspace.

"If you're posting immoral, scandalous pictures, you may think it's something only your friends can see," Larsen said. "Employers and colleges and universities have access to this. They may Google your name and see all sorts of things."

e-mail: lois@desnews.com

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