06/04/99

Webmastering for Kids

Bill, a 12-year-old 7th grader with whom I became acquainted on the Internet, has been learning about computers since age six. Last year he decided to create a personal web site. "I thought it was pretty cool," he told me. "Then I got into HTML (Hyper-Text Mark-up Language), which allowed me to create even more interesting pages."

Q: How did you learn how to construct a layout for your web pages, Bill?

A: Mainly I went to search engines, looking for providers that gave free pages, and I also searched for sites that taught HTML. My cousin, who had made some pages of his own, helped me, too. I gave different themes to different pages to make each one unique, and the decisions were coordinated and spontaneous. I didn't have a certain audience in mind, but I thought that younger people my age would probably go for it more, even though I tried to reach older people as well.

Q: Have you taught others how to create websites?

A: I don't consider my skills adequate to teach a lot, but I've helped some family members out with technical problems.

Q: What changes have you made in your site?

A: Changes have been minor and subtle. I've changed text placement, added new text and put up and taken down pictures and banners. Some fun things to put on a site are more advanced, like putting up download points where you can copy a sound, picture or small video clip down to your computer from the page itself.

Q: Describe some of the reactions you get from visitors to the site.

A: I get different reactions, some critical and others impressed. But hey, it's not a one subject fits all deal anyway.

Q: What else do you want to learn about computers or the Internet?

A: One thing I'd like to do is try Windows '98 and see how it works with the Internet.

Bill asked his mother whether he should publish his website address in this article. She preferred that he remain anonymous. She and Bill have learned about computers and the Internet together, teaching each other by trial and error, from books and through friends, whenever inevitable technical glitches arise.

Kathy Williams, the mother of a pre-teen daughter who was also fascinated by computers and the Internet, wrote an excellent essay entitled, "Kathy's Views on Children and the Internet." She emphasizes the importance of parent involvement with children when surfing the Internet, which, "despite the sensationalism in the media about the dangers lurking, the Net can be a safe place for children. ... in all the hundreds of email letters Rachel (her daughter) has received as a result of her webpage, we have had only one mildly uncomfortable experience. By educating your children, participating with them and arming them with a set of guidelines thy can follow for their online activities, you can enable them to have a safe and enjoyable experience." For complete text of this essay, go to:

http://www.mcs.net/~kathyw/guide.html

Her daughter corresponds with pen pals from different countries, too, initiated through Internet websites, under the watchful eye of her mother.

For links to web design instructions, "barebones guide to HTML," free clip art, free web hosting and dozens of other ideas and services related to web page designing, go to Terry's page at:

http://www.mebbs.com/tenny/create.htm

From my perspective as a writer, the Internet serves as an awesome resource for fact checking, publishing opportunities, new topics, international networking and employment. When children and their parents learn about the Internet together, while following a few basic rules of safety and common sense, they discover a phenomenal electronic playground with unlimited possibilities for exploration, social communication and creativity.

Some Common Internet Safety Tips for Children (provided by YWCA Central CT SACS):