Keeping Our Kids Safe

This brief document is a summary of a report from the NCMEC. A free copy of this publication is available by clicking on the title above

You can’t watch kids every minute, but you can use strategies to help them benefit from the Internet and avoid its risks. I respectfully offer these points for you to consider:

Where do kids connect?

The CORRECT answer is Anywhere! At coffee shops, friends houses, the library – Anywhere!

As parents we need to be providing guidance and discussion along the way, to increase kids’ common sense skills, confidence and their ability to avoid risks.

What are they browsing the Internet?

The Internet is truly amazing. The research ability is extensive …. BUT….

Kids may come across sites containing adult images, demeaning, racist, sexist, violent, or false information. It’s difficult for us let alone – our kids to distinguish reliable sources of information from less reliable ones.

We need to tell our kids that when they come across any material making them feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused to immediately tell you or another trusted adult.

Helping them find reliable sources of information and distinguish fact from fiction is also a good approach.

Consider putting a filter on your computer. Many Internet service providers (ISPs) offer filters to prevent kids from accessing inappropriate sites.

Using E-mail

It seem that everyone nowadays is using E-mail to communicate rapidly and cost-effectively with people all over the world. E-mail transmits messages, documents, and photos to others in a matter of seconds or minutes. Remember - You can’t take it back…think before you type.

Kids can set up private accounts through free web-based, E-mail services without asking permission from parents or guardians. Problems with email can arrive in the form of Spam
which may be sexually suggestive or offensive in other ways.

Senders sometimes disguise themselves, pretending to be someone else — a friend or acquaintance, or an “official agency” — for illicit purposes.

Talking with your kids about their E-mail accounts, and discussing potential risks involved is probably the best first step.

The second is to set up a spam filter. Teaching kids not to open spam or E-mails from people they don’t know in person.

Remind them not to respond to any online communication in a sexually provocative way. Ask them to show you suspicious communications.

If your kids receive E-mail containing threats or material making them feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused, report it to your ISP and local police.

Report E-mails with evidence of online sexual exploitation, such as child pornography, to the CyberTipline at www.cybertipline.com or 1-800-843-5678 as well as the local police.

Social Networking

Posting personal profiles describing who they are and their interests, blogs or online diaries, photos, creative writing, artwork, videos, and music. Instant Messaging (IM) and sharing online profiles are popular forms of social networking.

A survey of 10 to 17 year olds revealed 34% had posted their real names, telephone numbers, home addresses, or the names of their schools online where anyone could see; 45% had posted their dates of birth or ages; and 18% had posted pictures of themselves.

Urge kids to restrict access to their profiles. This way only those on their contact lists are able to view them.

Suggest to them to choose gender-neutral screen names or nicknames — such as their initials or a word. Make sure the name doesn’t include information revealing their identity or location.

Remind kids to use the privacy settings on social-networking sites to restrict access to their “spaces” or blogs to only people they know in person.

Visit social networking sites with your kids, and discuss with them what you think is safe and unsafe.

Ask your kids about the people they are communicating with online.

Insist that your kids never give out personal information or arrange to meet in person with someone they’ve met online without first checking with you.

If your kids receive an IM from someone they don’t know, tell them to block the sender. Remind kids to IM only people they know in person and who have been approved by you.

Encourage your kids to think before typing, “Is this message hurtful or rude?” Also urge your kids not to respond to any rude or annoying messages or ones making them feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused. Have them show you such messages.

What’s a P911? It’s shorthand for “parent alert” — a code some kids use to let others know a parent or guardian is watching.

If you have trouble translating your kids online “lingo,” visit www.NetSmartz.org. There you’ll find a list of popular terms and abbreviations used in IM and chat rooms.

Posting Video and Photos Online

Web cam sessions and photos can be easily captured, and users can continue to circulate those images online. It has become a common occurrence to hear that a “friend” or “Ex” has shared online photos with others, or posted private images on the web.

Kids may come across offensive or inappropriate images and videos while surfing the web.

Kids should use web cams or post photos online only with your knowledge and supervision.

Remind your kids to ask themselves if they would be embarrassed if their friends or family saw the pictures or video they post online. If the answer is yes, then they need to stop.

Caution kids about posting identity-revealing or sexually provocative photos. Don’t allow them to post photos of others — even their friends — without permission from their friends’ parents or guardians.

Remind them once such images are posted they lose control of them and can never get them back.

Remind kids to immediately tell you or another trusted adult if they come across inappropriate material.

Stay Safe -