Internet Safety Tips you need to Know before Buying the New PlayStation Vita
By Child Safety Specialist March 08, 2012 | 12:00 pmPosted in: Child Safety, Internet Safety The other day while driving I heard an ad on the radio for the new PlayStation Vita. And, I have to admit it sounds extremely cool and a far cry from the first generation of video game consoles like the Nintendo Gameboy.
The features are impressive; Wi-Fi, front- and rear-facing cameras, social-networking apps and optional 3G cellular connectivity. I started to wonder, is this toy for an adult or a child?
There are some serious internet safety considerations here. What concerns me the most is Sony’s proprietary social-networking app called Near. Near uses GPS technology or Wi-Fi hotspots to tracks your child as they are playing and actually informs other players. So "Joe Pedophile" can actually track your child to the playground or mall where he might be playing. And, it gets even scarier. There is another proprietary app called Party, which when used in conjunction with Near, allows players to talk directly to each other and join multiplayer games. Party will not just connect players to known friends but also to total strangers.
Most parents are going to be pressured by their kids to lay down $250 for Vita and probably won't understand these internet safety issues. Kids won't give it a second thought. So mom and dad, pass these safety tips along to everyone you know. If you get Vita for your child, play it with him so you really understand what it can do.
Would you let your child have a video game console that can connect him to any stranger and pinpoint his exact location? Tell me your thoughts
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