Protecting children online

While the Internet offers a world of educational and entertainment options for young people, it also has a dark and dangerous side.  Help minimize the chance your child can be exploited on the Internet by:

• Communicating and talking to your children about sexual victimization and potential online danger.
• Spending time with your children online. Have them teach you about their favorite destinations.
• Keeping the computer in a common room in the house, not in their bedroom.
• Utilizing parental controls provided by your service provider and/or blocking software.
• Maintaining access to your child's online account and randomly checking his/her email.

Also, instruct your children to:

• Never arrange a face-to-face meeting with someone they met online.
• Never upload or post pictures of themselves on the internet or online service for people they do not personally know.
• Never give out identifying information such as their name, home address, school name or telephone number.
• Never download pictures from an unknown source.
• Understand that whatever they are told online may or may not be true.