WabashRegional2022

P R O T E C T I N G Y O U R K I D S O N T H E I N T E R N E T

27

P R O T E C T I N G Y O U R K I D S

Tips For Protecting Your Kids From Harmful Internet Content

(Information provided by SafeKids.com . For further information on child safety on the Internet, visit www.safekids.com. ) • Tell your kids never to give out personal information, such as their address or telephone number when in chat rooms or when using bulletin boards. If they decide to give this information out via e-mail, ask them to speak to you first to make sure they are sending it to someone you know and trust. • Get familiar with the services your child uses. Find out what information is offered by these services and whether parents can block out objectionable material. • Do not let your children arrange a face-to-face meeting with a stranger without your permission. If a meeting is scheduled, make sure the first one is in a public place and that you accompany your child. • Tell your kids not to respond to messages that are suggestive, obscene, threatening, or make them feel uncomfortable. If they encounter such messages, have them tell you. If your child receives a message that is harassing or threatening, forward a copy to your Internet Service Provider and ask for their help. • If you or your child become aware of the transmission, use, or viewing of child pornography while online,

report this to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children by calling 1-800-843-5678. You should also notify your online service. • Keep in mind that people online are not always who they claim to be. Someone that claims to be a 12-year old girl could actually be a 40-year old man. • Remember that everything your child reads online is not true. Be careful about offers that involve coming to a meeting or having someone visit at your home. • Set rules and guidelines for computer use. Discuss these rules and post them near the computer as a reminder. Monitor their obedience to these rules, especially in regards to the amount of time your child spends online. A child or teenager’s excessive use of online services or bulletin boards, particularly at night, may be a clue that there is a potential problem. Remember that computers and online services should not be used as electronic babysitters. Make this a family activity. Consider keeping the computer in a family room instead of a child’s bedroom. Get to know their online friends just as you get to know their other friends.