United States Attorney’s Office Releases Tips to Keep Kids Safe Online

ROANOKE, VIRGINIA – United States Attorney John P. Fishwick Jr. released today a list of tips that parents, teachers, caregivers, and others, can use to help keep children safe online. Today’s tips, in conjunction with the offer of free community training sessions, continues the United States Attorney’s Office mission of not only prosecuting those who exploit children but also being a community leader in education and prevention.

“The amount of technology our children have access to expands almost daily. It is nearly impossible for parents to keep up with every website or social media portal their children visit, which is why we, as parents, must be vigilant in protecting our children from online exploitation,” United States Attorney John P. Fishwick said today. “In our office we have experts who not only prosecute these cases but also train parents, and other community members, to help keep our kids safe online.”

U.S. Attorney Fishwick, along with Project Safe Childhood Coordinator and Assistant United States Attorney Nancy S. Healey, offered the attached “Tips for Keeping Kids Safe Online” as a basic resource for parents, and others, who are looking for some first steps to take in keeping children safe online.

The U.S. Attorney also announced today that in the coming weeks and months he, along with AUSA Healey and others, will be offering free training for parents, teachers, school groups, and other interested community groups, looking to learn more about the online dangers children encounter on a daily basis and how to keep kids safe online. These presentations can be tailored for length and audience and offer a plethora of information dealing with the subject of online safety.  

“This is a topic every parent needs to be up-to-date on,” AUSA Healey said today. “Unfortunately, there are many places our kids are going online that parents simply aren’t informed enough about. Our kids are also posting questionable pictures online and communicating with people they don’t always know. I hope through these tips and our trainings that we can help parents better understand the online world our children are encountering.”

For more information or to schedule a free training session, please contact Brian McGinn, 434-293-4283, brian.mcginn@usdoj.gov. Groups of all sizes are encouraged to reach out.