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Parent's Guide to
Children's Online Safety
Additional
Resources
The National
Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) has outlined some
strategies for enabling your children to stay safe while they surf: http://www.nap.edu/netsafekids/protect_und.html
In
addition, http://www.getnetwise.org has put together
the following list of tips for children, teens, and families on online
safety:
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Safety Tipsfor Kids
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Safety Tips for
Teens
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Safety Tips for
Families
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- Don't give out information about
yourself like your last name, your phone number, where you live, or
where you go to school - without asking your parents first.
- Never e-mail a picture of
yourself to strangers
- If somebody says something to
you, sends you something, or you see something that makes you
uncomfortable, don't look around or explore; get your parents
instead - they know what to do.
- Making plans to meet your
Internet buddies in real life is usually a really bad idea - how
people are in real life can be very different from how they are
online. If you decide to do it anyway, have your Mom or Dad help
make the plans and go with you.
- Don't open up e-mails, files,
or Web pages that you get from people you don't really know or
trust.
- Don't ever give out your
password, except to responsible adults in your family.
- Always follow your family's
rules for the Internet - they're there to make sure you have fun and
stay safe online.
- Don't ever
do anything that could cost your family money unless your parents
are there to help you do it.
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- Remember - A million times
before you've heard that honesty is the best policy. Most people
don't believe that, though. So when you're out there in cyberspace,
watch yourself. You never know when 5'6", blond and female
could actually mean 6'3", hairy and male. Don't believe
everything you see online.
- Be leery of those who want to
know too much. There's no rule that says you have to tell them where
you live, what your last name is, or anything else personal. Your
business is your business. Let them stick to theirs. And trust your
instincts. If someone makes you feel uncomfortable, leave.
- We all remember the
"buddy system" from kindergarten. Sure, you're no longer
in kindergarten, but the system still works. If you're planning on
meeting up with somebody you met online, bring a friend, or even
your parents, along with you and encourage your online acquaintance
to bring theirs, too. It sounds stupid, but it's definitely the
smart idea. At the very least, make sure your real friends know what
you're doing.
- Before you take a running
leap at the streets and a hard-knock life, let somebody know how
you're feeling. Try talking to an understanding relative or friend,
or call the National Runaway Switchboard at 1-800-621-4000. They are
a better, more trustworthy resource than a stranger in a chat room.
- If you get suspicious
e-mails, files, or pictures from someone you don't know and trust,
trash them just like any other junk mail. You could have a lot to
lose by trusting someone you've never even met. The same goes for
clicking links or URLs that look suspicious - just don't do it.
- . Avoid chat
rooms or discussion areas that look sketchy or provocative, and
don't let people online trick you into thinking of them as real-life
friends if you've never met them in person. Just the same, don't let
people goad you into online fights. If you go looking for trouble on
the Internet, you'll find it, and things can get out of control
really fast.
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- Use the Internet with your
kids. While you're spending time with them, you can help them to be
safe and responsible online. Learn about the technology together,
ask lots of questions, and don't be intimidated if it seems like
your kids have a better understanding of the technology than you.
Remember, it's your family, and you have the power and
responsibility to keep an eye on what your kids are doing.
- Teach kids never to give
their personal information to people they meet online, especially in
chat rooms and on bulletin boards. If you have a family web site
with your children's pictures up, don't include information like
where they go to school, where you live, your phone number, or any
other personally identifiable information -- that's giving personal
information out every bit as much as sending an e-mail or talking to
someone in a chat room.
- Instruct your child never to
plan a face-to-face meeting with online acquaintances, and to notify
you if they are approached for an offline meeting.
- Establish clear ground rules
for Internet use for your family. Think about signing a Contract
with your children that reflects those rules. Learn about the
different parental control tools, protective software, and
controlled access options that are available, and decide which, if
any, are best for your needs.
- Tell your children not to
respond if they receive offensive or dangerous e-mail, chat
requests, or other communications, and to leave if they go to a web
site that makes them uncomfortable. Also tell them to show you
anything they receive that makes them uncomfortable. Assuring them
that you won't be angry with them and that they are not to blame can
help you to develop a trusting, open relationship.
- If you become worried that
your child or another child is in danger, don't hesitate to contact
local and federal law enforcement authorities.
- For additional resources,
check out SafeKids.ComParents
'
Guidelines
and The Children's Partnership Keeping Kids Safe Online: Tips & Tool
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U.S.
Department of Justice, Criminal Division ° Child Exploitation and Obscenity
Section (CEOS)
1400 New York Avenue, 6th Floor ° Washington, D.C. 20530
Legal
Policies | Privacy
Policy | Criminal
Division Home Page | DOJ Home Page
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