5 Tips to Keep your Kids Safe in Cyberspace

Five Tips to Keep your Kids Safe in Cyberspace

Set firm rules and consequences
- Specific “Internet usage” timeframe
- Do not talk to people you don’t know
- No chat rooms (chat rooms can be easily blocked by using a control filter given by your Internet Service Provider)
- Keep the computer in a common, high traffic area such as the living room, to ensure that you can keep an eye on your child’s Internet activity.
Become comfortable with Internet filters and computer settings
- There are many accessible tools online to filter out adult content and monitor your child’s online activities. Inappropriate content sites can be blocked and certain settings can disable any personal information from being sent out online.
TALK to your children
- Ask your child about what they have been doing online, request to see some of the sites they have been visiting in their “history”.
Spend time with your children online
- Teach your children the appropriate behaviors that should be used when surfing the web, be a good role model.
Most importantly, BEWARE of the warning signs that your child could be in danger
- The best way to help a child in danger is to be aware that they are in trouble in the first place. Many warning signs include withdrawn attitude, spending extended lengths of time online, being shy when asked about activities on the Internet, unknown phone calls being received.

*If you fear your child may be in danger contact your local FBI office or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678