KIDLINK

They'd tried chatrooms on the World Wide Web (WWW) and on Internet Relay Chat (IRC) but hadn't had much success. The regular IRC channels didn't cater to children and conversations were often inappropriate and the WWW chats were either a) always empty or b) always full and they couldn't get in.

So I was quite interested when I stumbled across 'Kidsworld', an IRC network claiming to be just for kids. If you're not familiar with IRC, it consists of various separate networks of IRC servers (machines) that allow users to connect and talk to others on 'channels'. It involves using a software program easily accessible online for free.

To join Kidsworld, I simply added the server information to my mIRC setup window. mIRC is the chat client I chose to use but you can choose your own--find one at Stroud's Consummate Winsock Applications or do your own WWW search for chat client software.

Once connected, I was asked to type in /adult if I was an adult and /kid if I was a kid. And yes, you need that slash sign.

I was then instructed to check in at a room called #adminland (type /join #adminland and hit enter) and as soon as I entered the room, I was questioned on what I was doing there. Once I'd explained, Lema ( her IRC nickname) --the founder and administrator of Kidsworld-- offered to take me on a tour.

'It's impossible for adults to join anywhere but #adminland or #chat,' she explains and proves that point by instructing me on how to obtain a channel list and then trying to enter any of the listed rooms. I couldn't get in.

I then disconnect and reconnect again--this time as a kid and my tour begins.

What's to prevent any adult from doing this? Lema says adults have occasionally tried to hide but they are found out quickly and pedophiles are turned over to authorities by Kidsworld.

Staff---all volunteer-- work at getting to know the kids and can quickly determine false identities.

'Have your two children come in with separate identities or we'll quickly notice something isn't right with them,' she warns. While Lema says 8 to 10 years of age seems to be the average age of kids here, the oldest allowed is 17.

Back in #adminland, Lema pauses from our tour to reprimand a youngster for swearing in a chatroom.

'We don't allow warez (illegal software), sex or hacker channels,' she says.

Kidsworld is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and the number of users at any one time has went as high as almost 100.

The number of channels also varies. During my tour there are 191 channels (also called rooms) and kids can make their own and actually be operators in them--that's why the numbers fluctuate. As well there are the public channels #adminland and #chat.

The site has several IRC operators ranging in age from 12 to 61 years old. 'Most are kids and we want this net to belong to them so we involve them as much as possible,' she says.

They offer a program called 'helper-com' which eventually lets a kid earn operator status and actually help with keeping Kidsworld safe. 'We do ask parents to occasionally peek over their kids shoulders and keep good communication going with us. With you on that side of the kids and us on this side, they'll be fine,' Lema assures.

And while parents are welcome to go to #adminland to ask questions or take a tour, they are discouraged from hanging around to chat since this site is for the kids.

'We've only been in existence for a little over a year but it will be forever...a lot of people believe in this,' my tour guide says.

Lema suggests those wanting to learn IRC should just download the software and try it out. Different versions are available for various systems and for both PCs and Macs. 'There's nothing like learning by doing,' she says.

Before I leave, Lema sends me two information files about Kidsworld. One is a general overview of Kidsworld, the other is for kids to read with their parents if they get into trouble on IRC. And sending files via IRC is something else you'll learn once you get the program.

She then suggests I try to join a room called #sex.

I type /join #sex, enter a room with that name only to be quickly disconnected from the server with a notice that says sex talk is not allowed.

Sounds pretty safe to me!

If you'd like to know more about IRC and Kidsworld, check out the following links:

Visit the Kidsworld Web site for details on Kidsworld, their helper-com program and some great IRC links. There's also a Kidsworld mirror site. To download IRC software, get tips on using IRC and to find more links go to Julie's MIRC Page .

The Kidlink Homepage offers information on another IRC server for kids up to 15 years old (also offers various languages).

Before you start, you and your child might want to read some Chat Netiquette and Online Safety Rules . Older kids may appreciate the rules at Cyber Angels .

Don't like downloading software? Then check out online chatrooms at Freezone or ParentsPlace (lots of scheduled chats for adults here but the kids rooms are pretty quiet) or search for 'chat' at Yahooligans .

Search for more information on IRC and chat for kids using your favorite search engine. Two of my favorites are Metacrawler and Yahoo .