Theo Nicolakis will be in Modesto on Sept. 6, 2008, to speak at the Greek Orthodox Church about the dangers of emerging technology for children and teens.
Playboy Station Portable promotion shot of Playboy content for the PlayStation PortableBy SUE NOWICKI
last updated: August 29, 2008 04:33:05 PM
If you've given high-tech games to your children or cell phones to your teens, you might want to listen to what Theo Nicolakis has to say.
Nicolakis, director of information and technologies for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, will present the all-day seminar "Journey to the iWorld" on Sept. 6 at Modesto's Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation.
As a technology expert, "I've been aware of some of the things out there. But it was a rude, blunt, eye-slapping experience as I've learned of how pervasive (Internet pornography) has become. The thing to me that's the most shocking is how the adult industry is targeting devices sold and marketed to youth.
"Playboy has for years marketed content for the PlayStation Portable that most people think is a child-friendly device. A lot of parents don't know kids can access the Internet with them. In 2005, Playboy started a service called iBod. It was pornography specifically tailored to the iPod.
It would allow individuals to download soft porn for free right on their device."
In 2005, Nicolakis became part of the executive committee of the Religious Alliance Against Pornography, an interfaith coalition of Christian churches, Muslim groups and Jews to protect minors and families against pornography. He lives in Connecticut and works out of New York.
In the seminar's morning session, he'll speak on using modern devices, a talk appropriate for teens as well as adults.
"When I talk to kids, I never explicitly mention pornography because I don't want to introduce them to the software out there," he said. "Rather, I give them moral guidelines and framework on what constitutes the appropriate use of new technologies."
In the afternoon session, he'll speak to parents about emerging Web technologies.
"Parents think, 'Here's a great device. I can give it to my kids.' But they have no safeguards, so kids have access to all the illicit stuff on the Internet. Or they're taking compromising photos of themselves or others and sending them on. We're entering a brave, new world of challenges."
Nicolakis' goal is not to alarm, but to challenge teens to develop good morals and to educate parents.
"The amount of parental control on mobile devices that we're giving to kids is either nonexistent or just now beginning to become available. Let's take the PlayStation Portable that we're giving to 8-year-olds — no parent controls. The newest version of the iPhone only has an on-off switch for parental controls. But (the off switch) defeats the whole purpose, because then you turn off the whole Internet."
As he talks to parents across the country, "the consistent reaction is their jaws drop and their eyes pop because they had no idea what potential power they had given their kids through these seemingly innocent devices," Nicolakis said. "The two biggest challenges I face are parental ignorance and the technology gap between parents and kids. I'm trying to empower parents with information so they can make better decisions and open up dialogue between them and their children."
There is no easy answer, he said.
"We're naive if we think we're going to stop it," Nicolakis said. "These devices amplify human nature and character, and they are able to do that on a much more powerful stage than ever before.
"So if an eighth-grader goes into the girls locker room and takes a picture of girls changing, with one click he can send it anywhere. It's a powerful danger.
"Parents are the answer — parents, community and, in our case, church banding together as a cohesive front."
As part of that answer, he will give children and parents tools they can use.
The seminar at the church, 313 Tokay Ave., will be from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. It is free (an offering will be taken) and includes lunch. For more information or to reserve a spot, call 522-7694
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