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INTERNET
SAFETY FOR PARENTS
& CHILDREN | | The
following tips for "safe surfing" have been compiled from information available
on the web sites listed on the back of this sheet. | Basic Tips:
- Choose a genderless screen name.
- Do not give out ANY personal information
about yourself or others. Membership in special interest newsgroups reveals information
about you in and of itself. Be cautious of any additional information that you
provide in those arenas.
- Do not respond to any messages that are inappropriate,
hostile, threatening, or make you uncomfortable. Forward offending messages to
your service provider.
- Carefully think about any information you may
post on a personal web site. Use your e-mail address as a point of contact. Do
not post your home address, telephone number, or a photograph of yourself.
- Chat
rooms may be the most dangerous area of the Internet because you have no idea
who is there. Be aware that your chat room "friends" may not be who they seem
to be.
- Be extremely cautious of meeting online "friends" in person. Remember
that anyone can be whoever he or she wants to be on the Internet.
| For
Parents: - Use the parental controls or filtering software available through
commercial Internet providers. Parents should hold the master password to any
commercial Internet account. This allows them to set any parental controls and
monitor the activity of others on the account.
- Consider placing the computer
in a public part of the house. Check the screen frequently while children on the
Internet, and let them know that you are interested in, and monitoring their online
activities.
- Be aware of your child's online pals just as you would make
an effort to know their friends from school, or any other activity. Make note
of, and monitor any correspondence with strangers or people they meet online.
- Make sure that children know the "online rules." They should never give
out their real name, address or phone number; and they should never agree to meet
with someone that they met through the Internet in person. These rules can be
posted near the computer.
- Educate children that not all people who use
the Internet are honest or nice. Some people lie about their real ages or identity,
and use the Internet to exploit children.
- Monitor online time. Be aware
of excessive time on the Internet.
- Encourage children to openly discuss
this issue and report anything that makes them feel uncomfortable. Make it clear
that it is not their fault, and that they will not lose their Internet privileges
if someone else contacts them inappropriately.
- If you choose to put up
a family homepage, consider all of the facts before deciding to put family photographs
on the Internet
- Always remember that when your kids are on the Internet,
they are in a public place and should be monitored accordingly.
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