INTERNET SAFETY

Below are some suggested tips to help Web users navigate more safely on the internet.  It may be helpful to review them with your child as a precaution.  By opening up communication with your child it may encourage the child to be more open with you about their web activities. 

Internet Safety Tips for Parents and Kids

1. Keep your passwords private from everyone! It is a standard practice that online services do not request them, so neither should anyone else.   Therefore, there is no reason to share this information. 
2. Use only your log-in name and/or e-mail address when chatting or sending e-mail. Make sure that you or your child never give out personal information like your name, address, phone number, or any other private information.
3. It is not a good idea to share photos of yourself, your family, or your home with people you meet online.  As a general rule, just don't!
4. If you are not familiar with the sender of an email message, always delete unknown e-mail attachments without opening them. They could contain destructive viruses.
5. Let your kids know that if a person writes something that is inappropriate or makes them feel uncomfortable, encourage them not to respond. The rule is to simply log off and ask them to let an adult know about the incident.  Once a child has reported this kind of interaction, it should be reported to your online service provider.
6. It is important to note that nothing that is written on the Web is completely private -- including e-mail.   Think before your write and be careful who you provide information to online.
7. People who you meet online may not be as nice as they may sound online. Therefore you should never make plans to meet your web "friend" in person.
8. If you are ever in doubt -- always ask an adult for help or just LOG OFF if you're not sure! You can always go back online later.  
9. Don't let someone you don't know intimidate you on line and never make any assumptions about who a correspondent could be. because really they could be anyone and not the person they told you, they were.    If someone is demanding that you do something that you are not comfortable with, encourage a child to always check with a parent, caregiver or any adult.