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Internet
Safety
Please Protect
Your Children From Becoming Victims
The
Internet is a great resource for children; however, if not monitored
correctly this object of convenience can become an unhealthy and
hazardous environment.
With
such an abundance of information at their fingertips, it is easy
for children to unknowingly end up in a pedophile's playground.
Online chat rooms, instant messages and message boards are easy
ways for sexual predators to hunt their prey.
Teach
Your Children The Following-
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Never
fill out questionnaires or any forms online or give out personal
information (such as name, age, address, phone number, school,
town, password, schedule) about yourself or anyone else. Make
sure your children understand that if he or she gives your
phone number to someone online, they can easily find your
address and get a map to your house. |
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Never
agree to meet in person with anyone you have spoken to online.
Never enter a chat room without Mom and/or Dad's presence
or supervision. Some "kids" you meet in chat rooms may not
really be kids; they may be adults with bad intentions. Remember,
people may not be who they say they are. |
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Never
tell anyone online where you will be or what you will be doing.
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Never
respond to or send e-mail to new people you meet online. Remember:
It is okay not to answer every e-mail and instant message.
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Never
go into a new online area that is going to cost additional
money without first getting permission from Mom or Dad. |
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Never
send a picture over the Internet or via regular mail to anyone
you've met on the Internet. |
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Never
respond to any belligerent or suggestive contact or anything
that makes you feel uncomfortable. End such an experience
by logging off and telling your parents as soon as possible.
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Always
tell someone you know about anything you saw, intentionally
or unintentionally, that is upsetting. (It is better for your
child's mental health to be able to discuss exposure to pornography
than for it to become a dark and confusing secret.) |
Parents
Should Do The Following-
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Be
sure to keep computers in common household areas. |
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Children
should have gender-neutral screen names. |
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Talk
to your child about what sites they visit, whom they communicate
with and who's on their buddy list. |
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No
software will ever be a substitute for being an active parent.
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Related
Resources
Family
Watchdog
www.familywatchdog.us
The
Victims National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
www.missingkids.com
The
Polly Klaas Foundation
www.pollyklaas.org
The
Jessica Marie Lunsford Foundation
www.jmlfoundation.com #464673
Amber
Alert
www.amberalert.gov
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