Online Safety Rules for Children
1. I will not give out personal information such as my address, telephone number, parents work location, or name and location without my parents permission.
2. I will tell my parents right away if I come across any information that makes me feel uncomfortable.
3. I will never agree to meet someone I "meet" online without first checking with my parents. If my parents agree to the meeting, I will be sure that it is in a public place and bring my mother or father along.
4. I will never send a person my picture or anything else without first checking with my parents.
5. I will not respond to any messages (IM or email) that are mean or in any way makes me feel uncomfortable. It is not my fault if I get a message like that. If I do, my parents can contact the www.cybertipline.com and report it.
6. I will talk with my parents so that we can set up rules for going online. We will decide upon a time of day and how long I can stay online. I will not break these rules.
Stats:
1 in 7 youth internet users receive unwanted sexual solicitations.
4 % receive aggressive solicitations.
1 out of 3 youth internet users saw sexual materials online they did not choose to see. (popups, chat rooms)
1 out of every 10 youths have been harrassed online.
PARENTS: ACCORDING TO YOUR KIDS, YOU KNOW NOTHING! 33% of 13-17 year olds say their parents know "very little" or "NOTHING" about what they do online! 48% of 16-17 year olds say the same!
Online Tips for Parents
1. Prepare your children for the online world just as you would for the real world. (22% of 13-17 year olds state their parents have NEVER discussed internet safety with them. Establish guidelines and rules. Let common sense be your guide)
2. Place your family's computer in a common room where supervision and guidelines are met.
3.LEARN ABOUT THE INTERNET! Familiarize yourself with the programs your children are using. Visit sites such as www.myspace.com and look around!
4. Limit your child's computer time! Talk about benefits and dangers of the internet.
5. Explain that Instant Messenger (IM) is only for chatting with school and family friends that are approved by you. !! Make sure you can put a face to every name on your child's buddy list!!
6. 65% of incidents happen in chatrooms. Reinforce that not everyone is who they say they are. There are no faces and no voices on the internet... a person can be whoever they want to be, which means deceptive if they want to be.
Ways to Make Your Computer Safe
Blocking Software: Uses a "bad site" list. Blocked site lists need to be updated regularly-daily.
Outgoing Filtering: Certain info that a child may want to share with others can't be shared. Information such as their name, address etc can be programmed so it is replaced with XXXXX.
Filtering Software: Blocks sites that contain given keywords. Keywords are set up by parents.
Monitoring & Tracking Software: Allows parents to track: Where their children go online, how much time they spend, allows parents to control what times of day their children use the computer.
If your child has become a sexual exploitation victim: File a report with Cyber Tipline.
www.cybertipline.com or call 1-800-THE LOST
Click on Eagle Eddie for gun safety information given by the NRA.
Eagle Eddie says:
"If you see a gun.."
STOP!
Don't Touch.
Leave the Area.
Tell an Adult.
Click here for Parents Guide to Gun Safety
