The More You Know

INTERNET SAFETY

"At night, you probably open all the windows and doors letting strangers in, right? That's what you're doing if you don't monitor your child's online activity." - Al Roker, NBC News

What You Should Know...

The Internet serves as a great resource; users can find information, communicate with people from around the world and access entertainment. People are also free to post and view various kinds of content. The downside of this liberty is that there are few regulations protecting users from unfavorable material. Internet users must take steps in order to protect themselves and their family from the risks found online.

Online Risks

Most people who use the Internet have positive experiences; but like any other endeavor, it also carries risks. People must be aware of their surroundings in the virtual setting. About one in seven youth experience sexual solicitation over the Internet; therefore, parents and children should be aware of online risks and taught how to navigate the web safely.

Because the Internet allows anyone to post content online, users can access inappropriate material through the web, over email or via instant messaging programs, even if they do not request it. They can also reach these websites through search engines. Adults should set guidelines for their children as to which kinds of sites are acceptable to view.

Chat Rooms & Instant Messaging

Chat rooms and instant messaging programs allow individuals to communicate with people from around the world. These services are very popular, especially amongst young people. In these virtual environments, individuals can encounter bullies and harmful adults who could pose risks to them. Users should remember that not everyone online is who they claim to be. Be wary about giving away personal information (name, age, address, etc.) or setting up an in-person meeting with people they chat with online.

Social Networking

Social networking sites have also become incredibly popular amongst youth. These sites allow users to create profiles that list their personal interests, opinions, photos and videos. Individuals can search for people with similar interests and create networks of friends through the site. Because these profiles can be accessed by anyone, it is important not to post personal contact information or unfavorable content. Users should not put anything online that they would not want their family or superiors to view. Also, individuals should set privacy settings on their profile to prohibit strangers from accessing their information.

Downloadable Content

Users must be cautious when downloading files online and through their email. Downloading harmful files could contain viruses or allow hackers to gain remote access to the computer. Additionally, some websites that provide downloading of music and video are unlawful and could lead to serious legal consequences. Internet piracy is a crime and could result in up to five years in prison, in addition to fines ranging from $30,000 to $150,000 per work. People should only download files from trustworthy sources, while children should check with their parents before installing any files onto the computer.

Online Protection

There are various tools that parents can use to protect their children from accessing unfavorable material, including parental controls to block and filter certain websites. Filtering services can also restrict personal information from being sent over the web and track online activity. These services may control what children see, but they cannot restrict what they say.

Computers are no longer the only way to access the Internet; with technological developments like cell phones, PDAs and video games, users can get online access from various locations. These products make it difficult to monitor children's web usage, so the best protection for Internet users is to be aware of the potential risks and learn how to be net-savvy on the web.

What You Can Do...

Individuals can take a few basic precautions in order to protect both their personal information and themselves:

Keep your personal information private
Information you post on the web can be accessed by anyone. Make sure to set your profile to private on social networking sites so that strangers cannot view your personal information.

Keep your finances private
Never give out financial information to unknown websites on the Internet. If the deal is too good to be true, then it probably is.

Stay anonymous
Only use your screen name in chat rooms. Never give out your personal information and be wary of people who want to meet you in person.

Use caution
Think twice before adding pictures or videos of yourself online. Ask yourself if you'd be embarrassed if your friends or family see what you post.

Be respectful
Never harass, bully or threaten others on the Internet. Help maintain favorable conditions online to create positive experiences for all users.

For Parents:

Communicate
Parents should not blame children for any threatening situations they encounter online; always keep communication lines open so that children are not scared to tell you about their online experiences. Remind kids that not everything they see on the Internet is real and to immediately tell you if they see anything online that makes them scared, confused or uncomfortable.

Set rules
Discuss guidelines with your child about Internet use, including when they can go online, how long they can spend on the computer and what websites are off-limits. Speak to your child rationally and make sure they understand that these rules are for their own protection. You should avoid scare tactics, but make sure your child is aware of the risks online.

Educate Yourself
Ask your child to show you websites they frequent and know how to access them.

Keep it in the open
Put your family computer in a common space such as a living room or kitchen instead of putting it in individual bedrooms.

Filter it Restrict access to unfavorable websites and chat rooms with filtering services. You can now restrict certain websites, prevent users from entering personal information on the web, and even monitor email use. But remember, these services are not a substitute for good judgment; both parent and child should be Internet-savvy and keep open communication.

Meet the friends
If your child has a new online friend, find out more about how they met and what their background is. Always communicate with your child about their Internet activity and get to know their online friends like you would their regular friends.

Look for signs
If you suspect your child is bullying online, it could be a sign of bullying in real life. Is your child is minimizing screens when you enter the room or being secretive about his/her online activity? Teach your children to respect others and talk to them about cyber-bullying.

Be reasonable
Set reasonable expectations. Try to understand your child's curiosity and remember that the Internet is a great resource for information.

To Know More...

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
www.cybertipline.com