Let's talk the risks of digital piracy with Internet Matters - £300 voucher to be won NOW CLOSED

[JustineBMumsnet]

When you can’t access the TV shows or films you’d like to watch it can be tempting to illegally stream them online - but doing so could introduce your family to a dark corner of the web involving viruses, disturbing pop-ups and unexpected pornographic content. Though Digital online piracy is often recognised through dodgy websites and Kodi boxes, it can also occur through any number of apps on mobiles or tablets. Internet Matters would like to hear your thoughts on digital piracy and the associated risks for your children, and how you would speak to your children about digital piracy.

Here’s what Carolyn Bunting, CEO of Internet Matters has to say: “We’re concerned that millions of parents don’t realise the amount of inappropriate, even pornographic, content children can find or stumble upon unexpectedly when watching TV and video content that is streamed illegally online. This issue has been growing for some time and we want to try and address the problem and highlight the risks parents are unknowingly taking when their children use open source media players, like Kodi boxes, to stream content illegally.”

Perhaps you’re completely in the dark about digital piracy? Perhaps you think the risks are worth it? Are you concerned about your child accidentally or even intentionally accessing illegal or even inappropriate content while watching cartoons, kids shows and films through open source media players? We’re interested in getting your thoughts about digital piracy and any tips you have for other parents speaking to their children about it so that they understand the risks.

All who post below will be entered into a prize draw where one Mumsnetter will win a £300 voucher for the store of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck!

MNHQ

Standard Insight T&Cs apply

The problem stems from what we might call digital education. This begins in the home and parents/guardians must be the enforcers and custodians of digital safety. When a child is allowed to play a game for instance that is given a pegi rating that means it isn't suitable for them the boundaries of what is acceptable change. This then translates to the child that it's okay to bend the rules. There are many adults who think nothing of their child playing COD because their friends are allowed. The transition to the viewing of films or listening to music that has been accessed illegally is then somehow validated, because their friends are allowed to!

Tbh my 10 yr more clued up than me

it's all about educating children and parents so they understand more about it before making their decisions

My DC are too young to understand any of this at the moment but when they are old enough I'll be sure to tell about a whole range of Internet issues/ privacy / security / piracy etc. I think it's really important.
I think schools are getting more geared up to discussing these issues too so that will help.
I'm not very techy minded at all so I might learn something too!

We've spoken about it at home as I have emphasised that it would be myself as the broadband owner who is prosecuted (my children are older teens). Do I think they understand the consequences fully? No! Schools do need to cover this subject too as it is vital in this digital age that children are aware of the cons of the internet

We subscribe to Netflix, Amazon Prime and have digital t.v... it costs a fortune but I think it’s worth it to keep the children safe. Our teens know that downloading anything illegal is a strict No No in our house. I monitor their internet use as well so they know if they try they will be grounded.

We have streamed TV like this in the past when we were students and so are well aware of the inappropriate content attached to completely unrelated things. I wouldn't want my child anywhere near this type of thing and would want to show them how to properly access what they wanted to see but am not 100% sure how I will go about it. Advice gratefully received!

By the time my son is a teenager I imagine he'll know far more about the internet than me and he'll be telling me things! (Same as me and my sister were with our parents).
I think, as with many things, keeping an open dialogue and inviting discussions about issues will be key

I do worry that children will stumble across something they shouldn't see and despite the regulations we have, as soon as an illegal site is taken down, another one or ten pop up in its place

Parents can control what the kids can watch. Even if u do not search for all of those illegal things above. Youtube is full with rubbish videos made by other kids and parents.
We are responsible for our kids and we can control what they can get access to!

Explain digital piracy harms the industry as the makers don't get any money; so without that money further projects will not happen

Discuss with them the risks and what might happen if they were to be found out. Schools could also teach about this.

It assumes me that technology makes it all so easy and yet its illegal, I've never watched any but I know people who have and give some valid reason for doing so partIcularly when wanting to view shows from the USA.
I do talk to my kids about it and I safeguard them as much as I can. I do agree that there needs to be more education and understanding on the issues. However I also see the attraction for some and agree there should be a change in legislation

It is not something I know a lot about but we have both had talks with our son and what he is allowed to do and why not. However I think it is something that needs revisiting frequently and I always tr6 to keep n eye on what he is accessing.

When my daughter could work around all the safeguards I put in place I informed her that if we were charged with piracy offences I would let them know it was her that did it all.

My daughter is very sensible and always comes and checks with me if she is allowed to use certain websites. It is scary when you read about games they play where people are pretending to be a child. My daughter is only allowed to add her friends on her games and does not play games where they are open to everyone.

Keep talking about what they are doing on line, ask about what they are told at school. Be around when they are online.

I think a discussion on the morals and legalities around digital piracy would be enough to stop my children at present. However I worry that peer pressure will lead them down this route in a few years when they stop listening to their parents and think their friends know everything!

I've never downloaded anything illegally & would never risk the safety of my computer by attempting to do so & would teach my great niece to do the same. Everything I download is via sky. The same with music, illegal downloads kill the music business

Its scary because there are a lot of people using the internet to scam people these days so I try to tell them not to give everything about themselves away whilst online.

I asked by do this but don't know enough about it either. Need to do some reading!

When the time comes (not yet thankfully) we would need to have a talk on the implications of piracy. Both for us, and for the artists themselves.

I think its important to encourage children to be open and honest. I know my child will eventually see something inappropriate online and I want her to be able to ask questions and talk to me about it. It's a very careful balance of explaining how dangerous the internet can be and allowing children to explore in a safe way.

My younger children are always supervised online. For the teenagers it's difficult to supervise but we have certain rules to make doing anything wrong, difficult for them. For example, no hibernating in the bedroom. Wi-Fi is turned off at bedtime every single night, much to their annoyance.
I also make full use of parental controls and router settings to block websites and keywords.

I've locked down our internet at home so the only streaming that's possible is through pre-approved providers that I already have a subscription/account with.

I've also spoken to DC about the implications of accessing anything that ordinarily should be paid for and they currently agree that piracy is a dishonest thing that allows dishonest people to send bad things at your computer/tablet/phone. As they get older I'll really make them wary about digital privacy and security from a practical level (rather than a fake people level).

It's tricky because whilst I can control what happens in my home, I cannot control the morals/ethics of others and what their children may be exposing to mine through their digital devices.