Counselors' Page
BE SMART. STAY SAFE ON THE INTERNET.
How do you keep children safe from something as large as cyberspace? Rules, that≠s how! Your family probably has some basic house rules in place, like whether it≠s okay to use the microwave unsupervised or which friends are allowed to come over after school. Making safety rules for Internet use is just as important as any other house rule.
Here are some solid Internet safety rules for adults and children.
RULES FOR GROWNUPS:
Learn about computers so you can monitor your child≠s use.
Have parent control software, but don≠t assume it blocks everything.
Keep the computer in a public area of the house such as the family room.
Periodically check the websites your children have been visiting and look at the files they are storing.
If your child confides in you about something inappropriate online, do not punish or blame. Take it seriously. Report the offense. Your child may be the victim of an Internet predator. It is against the law to lure children on the Internet.
RULES FOR CHILDREN:
The Internet is a public place. The people you meet online are strangers. Be smart. If you wouldn≠t tell something to a stranger, don≠t say it on the Internet.
Get your parents if you find yourself in a situation that makes you feel uncomfortable, that seems inappropriate or becomes personal. Tell your parents about anyone who makes the suggestion to meet you. Never agree to meet anyone.
Tell your parents about any communication that uses threatening or bad language.
Never reveal personal information.
PERSONAL INFORMATION INCLUDES:
Your real name
Where you live
Your parents≠ names
Your telephone number
Where you go to school
If you are home alone
When your parents come home
Any after school activities you participate in
Name of teams or events you participate in
Your job or your parents≠ jobs
Your family≠s vacation plans
5 BASIC RULES FOR INTERNET SAFETY:
I WILL NEVER
1. Give out my name or my parent≠s names
2. Give out my address or phone number
3. Send or receive pictures from anyone
4. Give my email address or password to anyone
5. Get together with anyone I meet on the Internet
I WILL tell my parents if I get a message that is mean or makes me feel uncomfortable.
SCAREY........
Google has implemented a new feature wherein you can type someone's telephone number into the search bar, hit enter and then you will be given a map to their house. Everyone should be aware of this! Think about it--if a child, ANYONE gives out his/her phone number, someone can actually now look it up to find out where he/she lives. The safety issues are obvious, and alarming. In order to test whether your phone number is mapped, go to: http://www.google.com/ Type your phone number in the search bar (i.e. 555-555-1212) and hit enter. If you want to BLOCK Google from divulging your private information, simply click on "Phonebook results for XXX-XXX-XXXX" and you will see how to get your number removed from this listing by filling out the PhoneBook Removal Form. Removal takes 48-hours. If you are unlisted in the phone book, you might not be in there, but it is a good idea just to check. If your number does come up, people can obtain a direct map to your
house.
-from the district SCIP office
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