Internet Safety: Tips for Families

March 26, 2007

Internet Safety Tips

Ask your internet provider about features that allow parents to block their children’s access to adult oriented sites, chat rooms, and bulletin boards. A variety of programs are available.
Set up guide lines that deal specifically with meeting people on the internet. Talk to your children about what to do if their new internet friend asks to see them in person or wants your child to send a picture of him or herself.
Let your children know they can come to you if they are receiving messages that make them feel uncomfortable.
Establish rules to follow when using the internet.
Keep the computer in a high traffic part of the house. You can monitor your children’s activities without appearing to be watching over their shoulders.
Spend time on the internet with your children. Give them a chance to show you what they have learned or the things that they like.
Find web sites you think your children will enjoy and “bookmark” them. This will help you direct your children away from using search engines.
Teach your children about “etiquette” (etiquette on the internet), so they will know how to behave appropriately on the internet and will be able to recognize inappropriate behavior on the part of others.

Suggested Guidelines for Your Children’s Internet Use

Never give out personal information over the computer.
Never arrange to get together with someone they meet online.
Never send a picture of themselves to someone they meet online.
Tell parents immediately if they come across any information that makes them uncomfortable.
Understand that not everything they read online is true.
Remember that people online may not be who they seem.
Never open attachments sent from someone you do not know.
Watch out for junk e-mail or “spam” which may include unwanted solicitations.

What to do if you suspect your child is communicating with an E-Predator online:

Talk openly with your child about your suspicions and tell them the dangers of computer sex offenders.
Review the contents of your child’s computer, including the temporary web files.
Use Caller ID to monitor the people calling your child, and block numbers that are suspect.
Monitor your child’s access to all types of live electronic communications-like chat rooms, instant messages, and e-mail.
Contact law enforcement if anyone in your household has received child
Pornography or if your child has been solicited in any way by someone who knows the child is under 18.