Here are several links to helpful websites dealing with online safety:
- Encourage your kids to share their Internet experiences with you
- Place the computer in the family room
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Don't give out personal information on the web
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Teach your kids that the difference between right and wrong is the same on the Internet as it is in real life
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Tell your kids that they should never meet online friends in person
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Teach your kids that not everything they read or see online is true
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Set rules and guidelines for computer use
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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.
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Set up Google Alerts to monitor mentions of your children's names on the web.
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Friend your children on Facebook and monitor their privacy settings so you are able to view their profile and activity.
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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.
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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.
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Consider implementing parental monitoring software on your home computers and children's smartphones.
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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.
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Prohibit your children from having multiple e-mail addresses, screennames and social networking accounts.
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Prohibit your children from using geolocation tools and apps on Facebook and smartphones.
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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
Free content filters available for home use: