Hancock New Hampshire Police Department

Tips For Parents For Internet Safety

Teach your children to:

· Think before they click: With whom are they chatting or e-mailing, what are they saying and how are they saying it? Will the person on the other end know they are joking?

· Walk away from the computer and “Take 5” before responding to something that upsets them online

· Avoid spreading rumors, assisting in cyberbullying or sharing private communications online.

· Follow the golden rule of cyberspace: Don’t do anything online that you wouldn’t do in real life!

You should also:

· Raise the bar on parental controls and filtering programs.

· Start using full-sized search engines with filters applied (check their advanced settings) or use a toolbar (Google’s comes preset with a medium filter).

· Teach them not to divulge personal information and double-check their IM “away messages” to make sure they’re not posting their cell phone numbers there.

· Make sure they can’t share pictures online, or set up profiles or blogs or webcams without your okay.

· Web sites they build should be reviewed carefully, as should screen names.

· Warn them against predators – tell them you are concerned about people showing up at the house.

· Give them privacy as long as it is with people you trust.

· Block all but pre-approved senders.

· Interactive games should still be limited to Toontown.com and other kid-approved sites.

· Google their name, screen names, address, and telephone numbers at least once a week. Many kids post nasty things about others.

· Make sure that you control the family account password and have their passwords too. Lock your private files with a password they don’t know. Change all passwords often.

· In addition to watching for spyware, search your computer regularly for images (porn or of your kids), and any music, movie or media files you don’t know about.

· Watch early media piracy, teach them not to steal online or offline.

· Get them started in online safety education, check out wiredkids.org or internetsuperheroes.org. Check out starting a tweenangel chapter at your local school. (For more information visit teenangels.org).

· If they have a cell phone, make sure you know its ability to play games and download images and software. Think about limiting their cell phone usage in a way that shuts it down when they exceed it, instead of just charging you extra.

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