Internet safety
The Internet can be wonderful for kids. They can use it to research school
reports, communicate with teachers and other kids, and play interactive
games.
But online access also comes with risks, like inappropriate content, cyber
bullying, and online predators. Using apps and websites where kids
interact, predators may pose as a child or teen looking to make a new
friend. They might prod the child to exchange personal information, such
as address and phone number, or encourage kids to call them, seeing their
phone number via caller ID.
Parents should be aware of what their kids see and hear on the Internet,
who they meet, and what they share about themselves. Talk with your
kids, use tools to protect them, and keep an eye on their activities.
Internet Safety Laws
A federal law, the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) helps
protect kids younger than 13 when they are online. It is designed to keep
anyone from getting a child's personal information without a parent
knowing about it and agreeing to it first.
COPPA requires websites to explain their privacy policies and get parental
consent before collecting or using a child's personal information, such as a
name, address, phone number, or Social Security number. The law also
prohibits a site from requiring a child to provide more personal
information than necessary to play a game or enter a contest.
Online Protection Tools
Online tools let you control your kids' access to adult material and help
protect them from Internet predators. Many Internet service providers
(ISPs) provide parent-control options. You can also get software that helps
block access to sites and restricts personal information from being sent
online. Other programs can monitor and track online activity.
Getting Involved in Kids' Online Activities
More important than blocking objectionable material is teaching your kids
safe and responsible online behavior and keeping an eye on their Internet
use.
Basic guidelines to share with your kids for safe online use:
➢ Follow the family rules, and those set by the Internet service
provider.
➢ Never post or trade personal pictures.
➢ Never reveal personal information, such as address, phone number,
or school name or location.
➢ Use only a screen name and do not share passwords (other than with
parents).
➢ Never agree to get together in person with anyone met online
without parent approval and/or supervision.
➢ Never respond to a threatening email, message, post, or text.
➢ Always tell a parent or other trusted adult about any communication
or conversation that was scary or hurtful.
Basic guidelines for parental supervision:
➢ Spend time online together to teach your kids appropriate online
behavior.
➢ Keep the computer in a common area where you can watch and
monitor its use, not in individual bedrooms. Monitor any time spent
on smartphones or tablets.
➢ Bookmark kids' favorite sites for easy access.
➢ Check your credit card and phone bills for unfamiliar account
charges.
➢ Find out what, if any, online protection is offered by your child's
school, after-school center, friends' homes, or any place where kids
could use a computer without your supervision.
➢ Take your child seriously if he or she reports an uncomfortable online
exchange.
➢ Call the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at (800)
843-5678 if you are aware of the sending, use, or viewing of child
pornography online. Contact your local law enforcement agency or
the FBI if your child has received child pornography via the Internet.
Watch for warning signs of a child being targeted by an online predator.
These can include:
⮚ spending long hours online, especially at night
⮚ phone calls from people you do not know
⮚ unsolicited gifts arriving in the mail
⮚ your child suddenly turning off the computer when you walk into
the room
⮚ withdrawal from family life and reluctance to discuss online activities
⮚ Talk to your kids! Keep an open line of communication and make
sure that they feel comfortable turning to you when they have
problems online.
