Top 10 search words parents block

March 25, 9:21 AMFatherhood ExaminerJoe Schatz

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Parents are afraid of the new EMO trend

Sentry Parental Controls, a net nanny software company, recent press release detailed a top ten list of words parents aren’t allowing their children to use in searches.  It seems the list revolves around the controversial EMO trend that is invading pop culture and schools around the world. 

EMO, as best as I can understand it, is both a fashion style and a particular taste in music, literature and sometimes self mutilation. EMO kids wear tight fitting jeans, have dark spikey hair and listen to emotionally charged punk music.  The most caustic of the group’s behaviors is their penchant for cutting themselves.  Many EMO kids compare scars like status symbols in what many parents agree is a very troubling trend. 

The study conducted by Sentry finds that parents are very concerned about EMO and searches that invovle its culture.  Check out the full press release for all the details:

WEB WORRY WORDS: THE NEW THREAT TO OUR CHILDREN INTERNET SAFETY EXPERTS REVEAL THE TEN WORDS EVERY PARENT SHOULD FEAR

As children as young as five now use the internet without supervision, how can mums and dads be sure that their child is not taking part in conversations or messaging that will lead them into danger?

Research published today by internet safety experts Sentry Parental Controls reveal the ten most common words that parents are blocking their children (under 16s) from using or searching for in order to help keep their child safe from internet predators, exposure to inappropriate material or dangerous social networking groups.

The top ten words that parents are monitoring are: 

1. Suicide
2. Alone
3. Dope
4. EMO
5. Bully
6. Depressed
7. Skinny
8. Breasts
9. Willy
10. Hate 

The ten chosen worry words were drawn from Sentry's extensive work in the US and UK looking at what words parents most frequently have to block on their home computers using the Sentry software. Blocked words then send an alert signal to parents when children use or are sent messages featuring these words.

While parents naturally worry about their children accessing explicit sex sites or finding out more about drugs, there are other far more subtle aspects of our children's behaviour - such as searching for skinny celebrities or taking an unusual interest in death - that should act as red flags for us to start talking to them about their concerns.

What fears do you have as your children search the internet?  Do you have any experience with EMO youth?  If so, what have you uncovered?