Internet Safety

Tips On How to Protect Your Children

Become computer literate and learn how to block objectionable material.
Keep the computer in a common area, not in individual bedrooms, where you can watch and monitor its use.
Share an email account with your child so you can monitor messages.
Bookmark kids' favorite sites for easy access.
Spend time online together to teach your kids appropriate online behavior.
Forbid your child from entering private chat rooms; block them with safety features provided by your Internet service provider or with special filtering software. Be aware that posting messages to chat rooms reveals a user's email address to others.
Monitor your credit card and phone bills for unfamiliar account charges.
Find out what, if any, online protection is offered by your child's school, after-school center, friends' homes, or anyplace where kids could use a computer without your supervision.
Take your child seriously if he or she reports an uncomfortable online exchange.
Forward copies of obscene or threatening messages you or your kids get to your Internet service provider.
Call the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at (800) 843-5678 if you're aware of the transmission, use, or viewing of child pornography online.
Contact your local law enforcement agency or the FBI if your child has received child pornography via the Internet.
Chatting with kids about being online

Do not use or have email addresses or screen names that identify your age, gender, or interests.
Never divulge personal information such as age, home address, schools, etc.
Never post pictures of yourself
Disable saving or storing "cookies" in your browser

Helpful Online Resources

Safe Kids website, kid's rules for online safety

Netsmartz website, basic internet safety

Parents' website, internet safety