Kids

Internet Safety Tips

*NEVER give out identifying information—home address, school name, or telephone number—in a public message, such as chat or bulletin boards. Think carefully before revealing any information about yourself. BE SURE that you are dealing with someone that both you and your parents know and trust before giving out any information via email.

*DO NOT GIVE OUT your password to anyone even a close friend.

*STEER away from online profiles. Online predators often use profiles as a means to find victims.

*NEVER arrange a face-to-face meeting with another computer user without the permission of your parent. If a meeting is arranged, MAKE SURE the first meeting is in a public place and ACCOMPANY a responsible adult to the meeting.

*DO NOT RESPOND to messages or bulletin board items that are suggestive, obscene, belligerent, or threatening. Let your parents know if you see any so they can forward a copy of suspect messages to your Internet Service Provider.

*DO NOT PARTICIPATE in private online chat rooms without an adult being present.

*REPORT any transmission, use or viewing of child pornography to an adult or contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. You can either call their toll free hotline at 1-800-843-5678 or send a complaint via the Internet at www.cybertipline.com.

*SPEND time some time with your parents online so you can learn proper behavior, ethics and rules for online use.

**Adapted from brochure entitled Child Safety on the Information Highway by Lawrence J. Magid. This information is reprinted from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). Copyright © 1994 NCMEC. Also, certain text taken from Tips for Parents to Protect Children by Enough is Enough. All rights reserved.