By Catie Foertsch, Community Reporter
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June 9, 2006 - Westborough - Two years ago, Joanne and Tony Scamurra faced a dilemma that looms for all parents of young children: in a world where pedophiles and predators routinely cruise the Internet and specifically target young victims, how could they let their young children use computers yet keep them safe? Both high-tech entrepreneurs, they set out to find a solution and developed Razzul (rhymes with dazzle), a software package that allows children ages 3 to 12 to safely use computers.
Internet safety is a hot topic both nationally and locally, as pedophiles who arrange meetings with young children are now routinely arrested in sting operations. At a parent meeting at Mill Pond School earlier this year, parents learned just how vulnerable their kids are to Internet pedophiles. They were given the results of a student survey that revealed that more than 60 Mill Pond students had been invited to join chat rooms by someone they did not know, and that 45 had then joined. Chat rooms are dangerous for children because pedophiles use chat rooms to hunt for their victims. Thirty-four Mill Pond students reported that they had been asked to meet with someone they only knew from the Internet, and a few students actually met with that person.
While some parents react to the dangers of the Internet by completely cutting off their children's access to computers, that tactic may backfire, Joanne said, as kids may then go to a friend's house to use a computer, maybe without any parental supervision. And, she suggested, these days computers are a vital part of a child's education and eliminating access altogether may put that child at a disadvantage.
Razzul provides two kid-friendly environments for kids to explore, one that is made up of symbols and pictures and talking characters only, for young children who cannot read yet, and the other with menus for kids who can read. Using Razzul, kids can go to a very long list of kid-friendly Internet sites in a wide variety of categories, including toys, sports, educational sites, and library and story sites. They can also draw, color, play games and engage in other activities. In addition, parents can schedule the times their children use the computer and can limit computer time.
Razzul allows parents to set up a list of e-mail addresses, and any e-mail sent or received with an address not on the list is bounced to the parents, who decide whether to let it through. The software will not let kids go to unapproved Internet sites unless their parents allow them to, and blocks ads and pop-ups. It also screens e-mails for content, and sends e-mails with inappropriate language to the parent's e-mail account.
Razzul also gives kids access to a computer only through its portal, so they have no access to the computer's operating system.
In the last few months, Razzul has begun to take off. The Scamurras have partnered with "Staying Safe in a Wired World" author Rob Nickel, who appeared recently on the Dr. Phil show and spoke about the product. They've also done many radio interviews and appeared on NECN. Locally, Joanne said, she plans to contact parent groups to offer Razzul demonstrations.
The Scamurra twins, Kristi and Kolby, were the genesis for Razzul, and now, at 4 years old, are dedicated users. Tony said that as they get older, he'll be looking to develop software that will continue to keep them, and other older children, safe.
Contact info:
Joanne Scamurra
Kid Innovation, Inc.
508-898-1952
http://www.kidinnovation.com
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