Chapter 18
What Have You Learned So Far?
What? You Never Told Us There Was Going to Be a Quiz!
Remember when I promised you there wouldn't be a quiz? I lied. (You should be used to this by now.) This CyberSavvy™ quiz was put together by The Direct Marketing Association, in conjunction with CARU and Call For Action. It's a terrific example of how the industry is trying to self-regulate and keep parents informed.
By now you should be "CyberSavvy."
1. How can our family communicate with other people on the Internet?
A. E-mail
B. Chat rooms
C. Newsgroups
D. Listservs
E. All of the above
Answer: E. There are many ways people communicate online—through e-mail (sending and receiving messages to and from specific people), chat rooms (speaking directly to other people online in real-time), newsgroups (posting messages in online "bulletin boards" for everyone to see and respond to) and listservs (automated e-mail communications to large groups of people). It is important for families to discuss what is and what is not appropriate to communicate online. Some parental control software now helps families block the transmission of specific words and phrases, including names, addresses and telephone numbers.
2. Who uses the Internet to communicate directly with other people?
A. Kids
B. Adults
C. Schools
D. Businesses
E. All of the above
Answer: E, all of the above and more. Clubs, organizations, even governments use the Internet to communicate directly with other people. Many post information about their organizations and activities online, and some sponsor their own online discussions, chat areas, newsgroups and listservs.
3. Are people able to talk directly to us online, even if we don't know them?
A. No
B. Yes
Answer: B. The Internet is just like any other public place. You can communicate with other people from around the world, even if you do not know them personally. Many people meet new friends while they are online, but it is very important that your family discuss and create your own rules about talking to people you do not know on the Internet. The CyberSavvy Family Pledge [available at the DMA site]may be a good starting point for your family to establish these types of family policies.
4. Is talking with someone over the Internet the same as having a private conversation?
A. Always
B. Never
C. Sometimes
Answer: C. As you know, people use the Internet in many different ways to communicate with each other. Sometimes, people speak to a lot of people at the same time in newsgroups and listservs, while other times, they communicate one-on-one, usually through e-mail. It is important to know that people you meet in chat rooms and newsgroups may want to have a private conversation or send you a personal e-mail. Your family should discuss your own rules for having those types of conversations and for determining what is and what is not appropriate to talk about. Remember, you should never give out personal information to strangers online.
5. Why is it that some companies request that I complete a questionnaire or survey before I can move through their Web site?
A. To learn more about the people who visit their sites
B. To gather information for marketing and customer service
C. To provide a better service to customers
D. All of the above
Answer: D. There are several reasons why companies like to know information about people who visit their sites. Generally, it helps companies provide a better service to all customers. If a company learns that people of a certain age tend to visit their site most often, then they can tailor the information they provide to that age group. Some companies may use this information to communicate with you about their products and services. If you have a specific question about a survey or a questionnaire you find online, you should contact the company directly.
6. How do I know if a World Wide Web site belongs to a business?
A. Because I have visited the site
B. Because the domain name in the World Wide Web address, .com, indicates that a business operates it
C. Because I have heard of the company
Answer: B. You'll learn more about domain names and URL addresses in the upcoming tour. But for now, a simple rule to remember is that .com in a site's address usually means the site is a owned by a commercial business. [Actually, I got this one wrong when I took the quiz, since personal sites use the ".com" zone too. If you have any questions, go back and reread the CyberSpace . . . A Map for Non-Geeks chapter.]
7. Are there places on the Internet that are designed especially for children?
A. Yes
B. No
Answer: A. Thousands of schools and organizations have created Web sites specifically for children. Many sites provide interesting information and games that are easy for children to understand. Some services also provide "kids-only" areas just for children. One of the best ways to find interesting sites for children is to listen to the sources you trust. Schools, parenting magazines and newspapers are all beginning to offer more information about "kids-only" online areas.
8. What kind of information could a Web site automatically read about our family when we first click onto that site?
A. Information about our computer system, browser and the general location of our Internet service provider
B. Information about our online purchases
C. Specific information about family members
D. No information at all
Answer: A. Most computers have stored information that can be read by some Web sites when you click onto their site. Those sites may be able to tell what kind of computer system you have, the company you use to access the Internet and the site you visited just before reaching their site. It is important for families to remember that their online visits are not unnoticed.
9. Can browsing the Internet change or alter the information on the hard drive of my computer?
A. Yes
B. No
Answer: B. No, the data on your hard drive is generally safe. But your browser(software that lets you surf the World Wide Web) does record where you've been on the Internet in a "history file," and some Web sites send an extra bit of data for your browser to store in a special file called a "cookie file." "Cookies" help Web site managers (or "Webmasters," as they are usually called) track and record information about individual visits to their Web sites. Tracking people's activity and preferences online enables Webmasters to keep their sites easy to navigate and relevant for viewers. It can also help make your activity online easier and quicker because some information about your interests is already stored and ready to use if you visit a site regularly.
10. How can we make our family's time online even more meaningful?
A. Spend time online together
B. Establish family rules for online behavior
C. Explore parental technology options
D. All of the above
Answer: D. Parents can do all of these things and more. Generally, the best way to ensure a meaningful experience online is to surf together. Sometimes, this isn't possible, and some parents will let their children explore online alone if the family has an established set of rules and policies in place. Parents can also employ helpful technology, such as parental control software, which allows parents to block access to sites that may have content the parent deems inappropriate for children. As we discussed before, some software stops the computer from sending out specific words or phrases, including names, addresses and telephone numbers.
This quiz has been generously provided to us by The Direct Marketing Association, CARU and Call for Action. Their booklet, Get CyberSavvy, can be found online at www.the-dma.org/pan/intro.html. Copies are also available by writing to The Direct Marketing Association, Ethics and Consumer Affairs Department, 1111 19th Street, N.W. Suite 1100, Washington, D.C. 20036-3603.
Hopefully, you got them all right! (Or know why you didn't.) Congratulations! You have now earned the right to graduate—to the next section . . . The Good Stuff!