CYBERSAFETY FOR KIDS ON-LINE

 

The Internet has opened up a world of information for anyone with a computer and connection!
Your children already use computers or will. But just as you would not send your child out onto
busy highway they should be given the rules of the road before being sent out on the Information
Superhighway. Too many dangers from total strangers and con artists can reach children (as well
as adults) through the Internet.

GETTING STARTED

Explain that although a person may be alone in a room using a computer, once logged on to the
Internet, he or she is no longer alone. People skilled in using the Internet can find out who you
are and where you are, they can even tap into information in your computer. A stranger could
even open the disk drive door on your computer.

Set aside time to explore the Internet together. If your child has some computer experience, let
him or her take the lead. Visit areas of the World Wide Web that have special sites for children.

CONTROLLING ACCESS

The best tool a child has for screening material found on the Internet is his or her brain. Teach
children about exploitation, pornography, hate literature, excessive violence, and other issues
that concern you, so they know how to respond when they see this material.

Chose a commercial on-line service that offers parental control features. These features can block
contact that is not clearly marked as appropriate for children; chat rooms, bulletin boards, news
groups, and discussion groups: or access to the Internet entirely.

Purchase blocking software and design your safety system. Different packages can block sites by
name, search for unacceptable words and block access to sites containing those words, block entire
categories of material, and prevent children from giving out personal information.

Monitor your children when they're online and monitor the time they spend online. If a child
becomes uneasy or defensive when you walk into the room or when you linger, this could be a
sign that he or she is up to something unusual or even forbidden.

TELL YOUR CHILDREN THE DANGERS

* To always let you know immediately if they find something scary or threatening on the Internet.
* Never to give their name, address, telephone number, password, school name, parent's name,
   age, or any other personal information.
* Never to agree to meet face to face with someone they've met on-line.
* Never respond to massages that have bad words or seem scary or just weird.
* Never to enter an area that charges for services without asking you first.
* Never send a picture of themselves to anyone with out your permission.

WHAT YOU CAN DO IN THE COMMUNITY

Make sure that access to the Internet at your children's school is monitored by adults.

Know your children's friends and their parents. If your child's friend has Internet access at home
talk to the parents about the rules they have established. Find out if the children are monitored while
they are online.

Make sure that your child's school has an Acceptable Use Policy (AUP). This policy should include
a list of acceptable and unacceptable activities or resources, information on "netiquette" (etiquette on
the Internet). Consequences for violations, and a place for you and your child to sign. Your family can design its own AUP for the home computer.

If your child receives threatening e-mail or pornographic material save the offensive material and
contact that users Internet service provider and your local law enforcement agency.

PARENTAL CONTROL PRODUCTS

These programs are not endorsed or affiliated with this site. They are provided for your convenience
to help control what your children are exposed to. Please inform the webmaster of any problems
with or dead links below.

CYBER PATROL
CYBERSITTER HOME PAGE
NET NANNY
SURFWATCH
X STOP

 

For more information visit the McGruff Internet Safety Kit home page by CLICKING HERE!!!