Internet Safety Tips

The Internet gives great benefits to everyone … most of all children.

With all of its advantages, however, it has disadvantages

which can create dangers for children.

There have been incidents where kids have met “friends” who were interested in exploiting them through chat rooms.  Pedophiles (adults who are sexually interested in children) are known to frequent chat rooms.

Your child’s best online protection is YOU!

By talking to your child about potential dangers and monitoring his or her computer use, you’ll be helping your child to surf the Internet safely.

Many Internet service providers (ISPs) provide parent-control options to block certain material from coming in to your child’s computer.

• Create a screen name for your child to protect his or her real identity.

• Keep the computer in a common area, not individual bedrooms, where you can watch and monitor your child.

• Always maintain access to your child’s on-line account and randomly check his or her e-mail. Be up front with your child about your access and the reasons why

• Bookmark your child’s favorite sites for easy access.  This eliminates mis-typing an address and bringing your child to a site they do not mean to visit

• Make sure your children are aware that they are never to download pictures from an unknown source, as there is a good chance there could be sexually explicit images

• Tell your children to never respond to messages of bulletin board postings that are suggestive, obscene, belligerent or harassing

• And finally, make your child aware that whatever they are told on-line may or may not be true

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