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Is There A Stranger in Your Home?

Tips for Internet Safety

Today’s children are spending more and more time online. Whether they are surfing the Web, playing video games or texting, staying on top of the latest technology and trends in order to protect our children can be overwhelming for parents and caregivers. Even with a federal law – the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act – in place to offer protection for young persons, parents must still play an active role. To help you navigate this high tech world and keep your child safe, MEBA’s Your Child Is Job #1 program offers the following tips:

  • Make sure home computers are placed and used in the family room or kitchen instead of a child’s bedroom. Limit and supervise your child’s access to and use of these devices.
  • Talk to your child about Internet safety.
  • Become computer literate.
  • Be alert. If your child turns the computer off when you enter the room, there is a probably a problem.
  • If your child spends a lot of time on the Internet, you should investigate. Make it your business to know what is going on.
  • Check your computer’s history and look for any signs of visits to inappropriate site.
  • If your child becomes withdrawn, receives calls or gifts from a person unknown to you, you need to investigate.
  • Realize the Internet is a big part of your child’s life. Help them understand that things are not always as they appear; people are not always who they say they are.
  • Teach your child to never give out personal information on the Internet, send photos or agree to physically meet anyone he or she meets online.
  • Look for signs of cyber bullying and tell your child NOT to respond.
  • Find and use parental controls
  • If your child receives unacceptable communications, notify your Internet provider and local law enforcement immediately.
  • Stay connected to your child. Communicate. Listen to them and be attentive to your child’s behavior.

Many of the above tips are from the Federal Bureau of Investigation's online resource, A Parent's Guide to Internet Safety. For more, please visit http://www.fbi.gov/publications/pguide/pguidee.htm