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Parent's Guide to Children's Online Safety
Additional Resources
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) has outlined some strategies for enabling your children to stay safe while they surf: http://www.nap.edu/netsafekids/protect_und.html
In addition, http://www.getnetwise.org has put together the following list of tips for children, teens, and families on online safety:
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Safety Tipsfor Kids
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Safety Tips for Teens
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Safety Tips for Families
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- Don't give out information about yourself like your last name, your phone number, where you live, or where you go to school - without asking your parents first.
- Never e-mail a picture of yourself to strangers
- If somebody says something to you, sends you something, or you see something that makes you uncomfortable, don't look around or explore; get your parents instead - they know what to do.
- Making plans to meet your Internet buddies in real life is usually a really bad idea - how people are in real life can be very different from how they are online. If you decide to do it anyway, have your Mom or Dad help make the plans and go with you.
- Don't open up e-mails, files, or Web pages that you get from people you don't really know or trust.
- Don't ever give out your password, except to responsible adults in your family.
- Always follow your family's rules for the Internet - they're there to make sure you have fun and stay safe online.
- Don't ever do anything that could cost your family money unless your parents are there to help you do it.
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- Remember - A million times before you've heard that honesty is the best policy. Most people don't believe that, though. So when you're out there in cyberspace, watch yourself. You never know when 5'6", blond and female could actually mean 6'3", hairy and male. Don't believe everything you see online.
- Be leery of those who want to know too much. There's no rule that says you have to tell them where you live, what your last name is, or anything else personal. Your business is your business. Let them stick to theirs. And trust your instincts. If someone makes you feel uncomfortable, leave.
- We all remember the "buddy system" from kindergarten. Sure, you're no longer in kindergarten, but the system still works. If you're planning on meeting up with somebody you met online, bring a friend, or even your parents, along with you and encourage your online acquaintance to bring theirs, too. It sounds stupid, but it's definitely the smart idea. At the very least, make sure your real friends know what you're doing.
- Before you take a running leap at the streets and a hard-knock life, let somebody know how you're feeling. Try talking to an understanding relative or friend, or call the National Runaway Switchboard at 1-800-621-4000. They are a better, more trustworthy resource than a stranger in a chat room.
- If you get suspicious e-mails, files, or pictures from someone you don't know and trust, trash them just like any other junk mail. You could have a lot to lose by trusting someone you've never even met. The same goes for clicking links or URLs that look suspicious - just don't do it.
- . Avoid chat rooms or discussion areas that look sketchy or provocative, and don't let people online trick you into thinking of them as real-life friends if you've never met them in person. Just the same, don't let people goad you into online fights. If you go looking for trouble on the Internet, you'll find it, and things can get out of control really fast.
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- Use the Internet with your kids. While you're spending time with them, you can help them to be safe and responsible online. Learn about the technology together, ask lots of questions, and don't be intimidated if it seems like your kids have a better understanding of the technology than you. Remember, it's your family, and you have the power and responsibility to keep an eye on what your kids are doing.
- Teach kids never to give their personal information to people they meet online, especially in chat rooms and on bulletin boards. If you have a family web site with your children's pictures up, don't include information like where they go to school, where you live, your phone number, or any other personally identifiable information -- that's giving personal information out every bit as much as sending an e-mail or talking to someone in a chat room.
- Instruct your child never to plan a face-to-face meeting with online acquaintances, and to notify you if they are approached for an offline meeting.
- Establish clear ground rules for Internet use for your family. Think about signing a Contract with your children that reflects those rules. Learn about the different parental control tools, protective software, and controlled access options that are available, and decide which, if any, are best for your needs.
- Tell your children not to respond if they receive offensive or dangerous e-mail, chat requests, or other communications, and to leave if they go to a web site that makes them uncomfortable. Also tell them to show you anything they receive that makes them uncomfortable. Assuring them that you won't be angry with them and that they are not to blame can help you to develop a trusting, open relationship.
- If you become worried that your child or another child is in danger, don't hesitate to contact local and federal law enforcement authorities.
- For additional resources, check out SafeKids.ComParents' Guidelines and The Children's Partnership Keeping Kids Safe Online: Tips & Tool
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U.S. Department of Justice, Criminal Division ° Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS)
1400 New York Avenue, 6th Floor ° Washington, D.C. 20530
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