| Your kids can learn a great deal
of information on the computer. Kids can also communicate with
friends, play games, and get homework assistance. There are some
things you can do to keep your kids safe online. Teaching your
children this basic information can protect them from harm and
dangerous individuals. Children should
never give out personal information such as their home address,
name, the name of their school, or telephone number in a public
forum such as chat rooms and on bulletin boards.
Your kids should be advised to never send out
pictures of themselves or friends and family without permission
from parents.
Messages and posts on bulletin boards that
are obscene, suggestive, threatening, or makes your child feel
uncomfortable should be ignored. Your child should be warned
to refuse offers of cash, gifts, and invitations to meet strangers.
If a child receives any messages that offers something for nothing
or contains inappropriate information, a parent should be notified
immediately.
Children should be taught to never arrange
for an in-person meeting with an online acquaintance without
prior approval from parents, and the parent should accompany
the child to any meetings that are arranged.
Kids should spend time getting to know online
friends just as they would friends from school or your neighborhood.
Online friends can become great friends, but kids should be
aware that any person they encounter online could pretend to
be something they are not. It is not unheard of for sexual predators
or criminals to assume the personality of a 12 year old child,
when in realty they are looking for personal information about
potential victims.
If you or your children become aware of any
inappropriate material online such as pornography or indecent
material involving children, contact your local law enforcement
immediately.
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