Internet Safety

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Here are several links to helpful websites dealing with online safety:

 
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  • Encourage your kids to share their Internet experiences with you
  • Place the computer in the family room
  • Don't give out personal information on the web
  • Teach your kids that the difference between right and wrong is the same on the Internet as it is in real life
  • Tell your kids that they should never meet online friends in person
  • Teach your kids that not everything they read or see online is true
  • Set rules and guidelines for computer use
  • Use an Internet or content filter on your home computers
Avoid Cyberbullying
  • Start by talking with your children about their online activities and the dangers of cyberbullying - set their expectations by discussing your views on monitoring their Internet and smartphone use.
  • Set up Google Alerts to monitor mentions of your children's names on the web.
  • Friend your children on Facebook and monitor their privacy settings so you are able to view their profile and activity.
  • In addition to Facebook, cyberbullies use other social networking sites like Twitter to post hateful messages. Familiarize yourself with these sites and set up an account to enable you to routinely search what others are saying about your kids.
  • Inform teachers if you suspect your child is being cyberbullied. Teachers are among the first to notice important changes in children's behavior, and it's possible the bully may be a classmate.
  • Consider implementing parental monitoring software on your home computers and children's smartphones.
  • Many schools districts also now use computer monitoring software on all classroom computers. Check with your school principal, PTA or school board to ensure these tools are in use at your child's school.
  • Prohibit your children from having multiple e-mail addresses, screennames and social networking accounts.
  • Prohibit your children from using geolocation tools and apps on Facebook and smartphones.
  • Always be observant as your children use electronic communications tools. Changes in habits, such as frequency and timing of use, mood swings and other indicators, could be a sign that your child is being bullied or a target of other online mischief.
Cell Phone Parental Controls
 

 
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Free content filters available for home use: