Your
kids can learn a great deal of information on the computer.
Kids can also communicate with friends, play games, and get
homework assistance. There are some things you can do to keep
your kids safe online. Teaching your children this basic information
can protect them from harm and dangerous individuals.
Children
should never give out personal information such as their home
address, name, the name of their school, or telephone number
in a public forum such as chat rooms and on bulletin boards.
Your
kids should be advised to never send out pictures of themselves
or friends and family without permission from parents.
Messages
and posts on bulletin boards that are obscene, suggestive, threatening,
or makes your child feel uncomfortable should be ignored. Your
child should be warned to refuse offers of cash, gifts, and
invitations to meet strangers. If a child receives any messages
that offers something for nothing or contains inappropriate
information, a parent should be notified immediately.
Children
should be taught to never arrange for an in-person meeting with
an online acquaintance without prior approval from parents,
and the parent should accompany the child to any meetings that
are arranged.
Kids
should spend time getting to know online friends just as they
would friends from school or your neighborhood. Online friends
can become great friends, but kids should be aware that any
person they encounter online could pretend to be something they
are not. It is not unheard of for sexual predators or criminals
to assume the personality of a 12 year old child, when in realty
they are looking for personal information about potential victims.
If
you or your children become aware of any inappropriate material
online such as pornography or indecent material involving children,
contact your local law enforcement immediately.
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