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 INTERNET
SAFETY GUIDE
| What are the Risks for
Children Online?
While the Internet is fundamentally a great place for
children, there are some areas of cyberspace that are not appropriate,
just as there are areas in almost every city that are inappropriate for
children. There are also certain activities on the Internet that may be
appropriate for adults but not for children, and areas that are suitable
for some children and not for others. That's why we wrote this guide: to
help parents decide what areas are right for their own children.
While you're making those decisions it helps to
remember there are many viewpoints on the Internet. How a Web site or
activity looks from within one family is very different from the way
it's viewed by a whole society -- or a whole world, for that matter. The
Internet is a global medium. Online activities that may be distasteful
to almost anyone who cares about children may also be protected by free
speech and other laws in the United States. Other Net activities -- like
child pornography or the attempted luring of a child to a face-to-face
meeting -- are illegal in many, but not all, countries.
| Keeping children
safe on the Internet is everyone's job.
Parents need to stay in close touch
with their kids as they explore the Internet.
Teachers need to help students
use the Internet appropriately and safely.
Community groups, including
libraries, after-school programs, and others should help educate
the public about safe surfing.
Kids and teens need to learn to
take responsibility for their own behavior -- with guidance from
their families and communities.
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It's not at all uncommon for kids to know more about
the Internet and computers than their parents or teachers. If that's the
case in your home or classroom, don't despair. You can use this as an
opportunity to turn the tables by having your child teach you a thing or
two about the Internet. Ask her where she likes to go on the Internet
and what she thinks you might enjoy on the Net. Get your child to talk
with you about what's good and not so good about his Internet
experience. Also, no matter how Web-literate your kid is, you should
still provide guidance. You can't automate good parenting. |
 TOOLS
FOR PARENTS
| Parents often wish there was a
"fool-proof" solution for protecting kids on the Internet. Of course
there is no perfect way to protect kids -- online or anywhere else.
The right safety solutions on the Internet are
the ones that best fit families' values and circumstances. A number of
software tools exist, which one is best for you depends on your
individual needs. To help you through the process, go to the following
link:
http://www.getnetwise.org/tools/
GetNetWise is a great site with lots of information and
resources. |
REPORTING TROUBLE
If there is an immediate threat of harm to you or your child, call 911, as
with similar emergencies offline. In other cases contact your local police
department for assistance.
There are some very important things that you need to keep
in mind when you're on your computer at home or at school.
- First, remember never to give out personal
information such as your name, home address, school name, or telephone
number in a chat room or on bulletin boards. Also, never send a picture of
yourself to someone you chat with on the computer without your parent's
permission.
- Never write to someone who has made you feel
uncomfortable or scared.
- Do not meet with someone you have meet online or have
them visit you.
- Tell your parents right away if you read anything on
the Internet that makes you feel uncomfortable.
- Remember that people online may not be who they say
they are. Someone who says that "she" is a "12-year-old girl" could really
be an older man.
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