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Online predators are out there!!!
They can infect your computer with viruses, they want to steal your personal information and possibly your identity, and they may even want to harm the people who use your computer. i-SAFE Inc. has created this list of helpful tips and reminders that can be used to help recognize these potentially hazardous situations and how to respond appropriately.
Tips for Parents
- Have the family computer in an open area never in your child's bedroom.
- Become a part of your child's online experience. It can be a fun journey to explore the wonders of the Internet as a family. As computer-savvy as kids and teens are today, they may even teach you a thing or two!
- Respect your child's privacy. Rather than policing your child's online behavior, keep the lines of communication open with your child. Let them know that you are their teammate and they can come to you if they ever find themselves in uncomfortable situations.
- Learn about the Internet. The more you know about how the Internet works, the more you can be informed about how online predators work and what you can do to stop them.
- Utilize the i-SAFE Parent presentation that shows you how to recognize techniques used by online predators to groom children into becoming victims.
Tips for Students
- Only give out identifying information when you trust the site and know that it is secure (look for the lock in the lower right corner). This is stuff like your name, address, & phone number.
- Try not to panic if you see an inappropriate website. Simply exit the window (click X in the top corner), Control-Alt-Delete, or turn off the computer.
- Do not agree to meet someone who you have met online but you don't know in real life.
- Only open emails from people you do know and not when they contain weird attachments.
- Only use credit cards online with your parents permission.
- Use your parents, teachers and i-SAFE as teammates in Internet safety.
- Join the i-SAFE Student Mentoring Program and help raise awareness of Internet safety in your school and community.
- Have fun! The Internet is a great tool that is used for many wonderful things. Just like any community, there are areas on the Internet where you can find yourself in compromising situations. A little bit of street smarts on the Information highway will help make your Internet experience fun, rewarding, and safe!
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