Internet Safety Tips

For Parents

Make sure that the computer in your home is in plain view at all times when your children are using it.

Talk to your children about what they are doing on the Internet.

Become more computer literate.  In today's day and age the children are learning about computers and most parents barely know how to turn one on.  Get to know your computer, even have your kids teach you a little, it will be time well spent with your kids.

Use blocking programs for internet use, such as  NetNanny or CyberPatrol.

Be on the lookout for the screen to change suddenly when you approach the computer.

Note:  Street proof your children on the Internet the same way you street proof your children in your community.

You notice the screen changes when you walk in or show attention to your child while he/she is on the Internet.

Your child is on the Internet at odd hours early morning or late at night.

For Kids

Never give out identifying information such as name, home address, school name or telephone number in a public message such as at a chat room or on bulletin boards.  Never send a person a picture of you without first checking with your parent or guardian.

Never respond to messages or bulletin board items that are:

• Suggestive
• Obscene
• Belligerent
• Threatening
• Make you feel uncomfortable
• Sexual in nature

Be careful when someone offers you something for nothing, such as gifts and money.  Be very careful about any offers that involve your coming to a meeting or having someone visit your house.  Tell your parents if the person you or your friend are talking to or e-mailing sends you gifts, concert tickets, or tickets for a bus, plane or train, or if someone you or your friend is talking to or e-mailing becomes TOO friendly TOO  fast.

Tell your parent or guardian right away if you come across any information that makes you feel uncomfortable.  An example is someone sending you dirty pictures by e-mail or by "snail mail".

Tell your parents if someone sends you a telephone "calling card" so you can call them on the telephone without your parents finding out about the calls.

Never arrange a face to face meeting without telling your parent or guardian.  If your parent or guardian agree to the meeting, make sure that you meet in a public place and have a parent or guardian with you.  Remember that people online may not be who they seem.  Because you can't see or even hear the person it would be easy for someone to misrepresent him or herself.  Thus, someone indicating that "she" is a "12-year-old girl" could in reality be an older person.

Be sure that you are dealing with someone that you and your parents know and trust before giving out any personal information about yourself via e-mail.

Get to know your "online friends" just as you get to know all of your other friends.

Never give anyone your password, even to a friend.

Reprinted with thanks to
Cpl. Paul Stemmler, CFB Kingston
 

Links to other web pages with more information on Internet Safety:

protectkids.com
yahooligans.com