Most sites take member safety and privacy seriously; however, predators still manage to sneak through. As parents, we should be vigilant in monitoring the use of the Internet by our children. The following are a few suggestions to help you and your child have a safe online experience. Additional information can be found here.
- Keep the computer in a place where there is high activity, i.e., the kitchen or family room. Don't let the child have a computer in their bedroom.
- Talk to your child about what information is okay to give online. Make sure they do not give out personal information that is not necessary, including school names, home town, where they live or work, places they hang out, or any other information that could be used to identify and locate them offline.
- Watch what their friends are posting about them. Friends could innocently give away too much personal information on your child. Get to know their online friends.
- Encourage your child to tell you if someone writes something that is mean, makes them feel uncomfortable, is suggestive, obscene, belligerent or threatening.
- What you post online, stays online. Even if you delete it. Never post anything you wouldn't want a potential employer, college or sports team to see.
- Never make plans to meet someone you first met online. They may not be who you think they are.
