Downloading
Music, TV, Movies, Streaming Video, Ringtones, Games
It's a simple rule: If it can be surfed, it can be downloaded. Downloading falls into two camps: the free and the not free. Free downloads include promotional music, peer-to-peer file sharing of music and videos (exchanges like LimeWire and Kazaa are illegal, can subject your computer to virus attacks, and in general are a really bad idea), games, and lots of cartoons (big with the preteen boy set). Downloads that cost (and require a credit card) include games, mobile phone ringtones, music (iTunes and its competitors), audio books, TV episodes, movies, music videos, and more. This kind of content is exploding in both speed and breadth of offerings. According to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), paid-for digital single downloads reached 420 million in 2005, which is more than double the number of digital singles downloaded in 2004.
Downloading is turning computers into relay stations for cell phones, MP3 players, and video iPods. Songs, video clips, and photographs are downloaded from the Web, then transferred to these more portable devices.
Convenience and speed of access have to be the best things about downloads. Going on a car ride? Download a Harry Potter audio book and burn it onto CDs or transfer it to your kid's MP3 player. Because most content requires a credit card to download, parents can be more involved in what is downloaded than with other Internet activities.
But most sites allow access to music, video, and games with no ratings involved. You might not know the content of what you're downloading (although iTunes and other online music stores do carry "parental advisory" labels). Also, because sites get around the credit card issue by offering "allowances," kids can download video and music that you might not want them seeing and hearing.
Illegal Peer-to-peer (P2P) software that allows people to share music and video files is strictly illegal. Yet kids are tempted by the offer of free music or Simpsons episodes. A few years ago, the government arrested kids (and their parents) for copyright infringement. While that's a long shot, it's still stealing, piracy, and a very, very bad idea.
Common Sense Tips for Downloading:
- Set rules with your kids about what you will and won't let them download. If you set up an "allowance" for downloading music, audio books, or video, make sure to give your kids rules about how much and what kind of downloading they can do.
- Check your kids' computers for LimeWire, Kazaa, or other peer-to-peer file sharing systems. Delete them immediately.
- Remember, many downloads cost money. Because that cost is invisible to your kids, they might not realize the connection between the impulse to click and the consequence of cost. Make that connection.
- Make sure you check ratings and content information. Online sites like www.commonsensemedia.org contain ratings and review information about the content kids download.
