First, as a member of the age group thats being discussed, let me humble myself (and the rest of us) to those that know more than we do. Some of us think we're infalliable, others of us don't stop to think about all the dangers online, and some of us aren't even aware of everything that happens behind the scenes that put us at risk. We generally don't know as much as the pro's, and we're making a mistake believing we do.

But the response to our ignorance on the subject of internet security should not be restriction, it should be education. When your car loses a hubcap, do you just walk from then on, until you can buy a new car? no, you take it in for repairs. Thats the way it should be here too. It seems rather silly to me that the current stance on the issue seems to be, "They don't know what they're doing, so we wont let them do it." But then when will they learn how?

With some kids, the basics of security are common sense. "Don't give out personal information strangers, Don't read Spam, ect." But thats only for some. I personally do what research I can on the matter, but others will need that push. I don't know how one could go about accomplishing this, but I think the first step should be to educate the parents.

Because thats the other side of the problem - one that from the article, I feel is being ignored. The (good) parents will educate their children, but this education will only stretch as far as the parent's education. And While adults might know more about the behind-the-scenes workings of computers and network databases, its the children who know more ways to use the networks. Blogging, forums/messageboards, Instant Messaging, file sharing, online gaming, ect. I know I can't speak for the majority when I say this, but my parents know relatively little on the types of things the internet is used for, but they know far more than me on the hidden operations of software. The first step would be to educate the parents on current technologies, and then educate everyone on how to better protect themselves against threats, while still being able to use the technologies in question.

The way to repair technology ineptitude does not involve blocking access to technology. It is education.

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Link to this comment: http://www.securityfocus.com/comments/articles/10940/31482#31482