Advice for Parents

Although the Internet opens a world of possibilities for children, they can also be exposed to dangers while exploring the information super-highway. There are individuals who may attempt to sexually exploit children by gradually lowering their inhibitions. As the relationship continues, the child may consider the person a "friend", and won't want to hurt their feelings or get them into trouble. As a parent, you are responsible for teaching your children how to be safe online.

Technology is a double-edged sword. It helps us stay connected, but at the same time, it has the potential to isolate us. It is important that the time children spend online is balanced by offline relationships and activities. Although the Internet can be dangerous, it is an important and necessary tool.

Parents and guardians play a crucial role in keeping children safe online, as you are their role models. They follow what you do and listen to what you say. It is important that you become as educated as possible about the Internet and the different ways that your children use it. This makes it easier to have open conversations with them and gain a full understanding about what your children do on the Internet.

Best Practices for Parents

Become more computer literate.
Get to know the services that your child uses and find out what type of information it offers.

Create rules for Internet use in the home.
Set reasonable rules and guidelines with your children for computer use, like what they can and cannot do online, when they can go on the Internet, and how long they can stay online. Post them near the computer as a reminder. Be sure that the rules are being followed by everyone in the household.

Develop an Internet Pledge.
Create your own Internet pledge or choose one from the Internet. Have your children sign it and make sure that they understand it.

Consider sharing accounts.
By sharing an e-mail account with your child, you can monitor what they are sending and receiving and from whom.

Go online with your children and know what they are doing.
When possible, have them show you their favorite Web sites, online games, and chat rooms. Check the Internet history to see which sites your child is visiting. Use filtering and monitoring software on your computer. Remember, it's your family, and you have the power and responsibility to keep an eye on what your kids are doing.

Watch and guard what your children post online.
Kids don't know how risky and dangerous the world can be. If they use social networking sites, check their profile and review the photos and stories they post. You are not being nosy; you are being a good parent. They need to know that anyone can see what they post online, including parents AND sexual predators. Contact the Web site if you find anything that should be removed.

Use the Internet with your kids.
Spend time letting your kids show you what they do online. This can be a great learning experience for both of you. If your kids know something about the Web site or the Internet that you don't, ask them.

Know who your kids are talking to.
Ask your kids who they talk to online and how they communicate (i.e. e-mail, instant messenger, chat rooms, blogs, etc.). Make sure they know the dangers of meeting new friends online.

Teach your kids right from wrong.
The difference between right and wrong is the same on the Internet as it is in real life. Make sure that kids know that the rules for good behavior don't change just because they're on a computer.

Don't allow solitary surfing.
Keep your computer in an open and public room and position the monitor so that it can be seen by anyone in the room. Do not allow your kids to have a computer with Internet access in their bedroom or in a place where they cannot be monitored.

Teach your kids to watch their step.
Make sure your kids know that no matter where they go on the Internet, they are always leaving information about themselves.

Instruct your children to never arrange a face-to-face meeting with someone they meet online.
If you agree to let your child meet an online buddy in person, go with them. Be sure to meet in a public spot, and let the buddy know you will be accompanying your child. If the online buddy is against meeting this way, it's a tip-off that you probably don't want them meeting anyway.

Insist that your kids never give out personal information or post photos of themselves.
Tell your kids that it is never appropriate to give out any identifying information, such as name, address, school, phone number, age, etc. If they are asked for this information, insist that they ask you if it is okay before providing it.

Tell your kids that it's okay not to respond.
Instruct your children to never respond to messages or postings that are suggestive, obscene, belligerent, or harassing.

Teach your kids to trust their instincts.
Make sure that if your kids see anything online that makes them nervous, they should come tell you about it.

Control your children's online activity.
Internet software with parental controls can help you filter out harmful content, monitor the sites that your child visits, and find out what they do there. Also make sure they know that not everything they are told online is true.

Don't rely solely on technology as a substitute for you.
Technology will never replace good parenting. It's important that we talk to our kids about the dangers that they face online and help them to understand the safeguards that we put in place to protect them.

For additional safeguards and information on minimizing the chances of an online exploiter victimizing your child, signs that your child might be at risk online, what to do if you suspect your child is communicating with a sexual predator, identifying behaviors that may indicate inappropriate activities online, and much more, please visit the FBI's "A Parent's Guide to Internet Safety".

Cyber Predators and Pedophiles

Sexual predators are a parent's worst nightmare. In cyber space, they lurk in Web communities and playgrounds where your children like to hang out, such as the social networking sites that have become so popular.
Keep an eye on your kids, know who their cyber friends are and make sure they don't do anything foolish. That other "kid" in the chat room, blogging, e-mailing or instant messaging your child could be a sexual predator. Review your children's instant messaging buddy lists. The last thing you want is to learn a sexual predator is exchanging messages with your kids. We owe it to them to protect them from these criminals.