Internet Safety

The Internet has made daily living easier, but with this great help it has also made crime easier. Everyone using the Internet is a potential target for online crimes. Simple rules and guidelines for children can help protect them from potential crimes. Everyone has to play a role in keeping our children safe so we have provided information and links for children, parents, educators, and law enforcement.

Related Links

• National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
• NetSmartz is a children’s website that provides fun activities while learning about internet safety
• A Parent's Guide to Internet Safety

Tips for Adults

• Place your computer in an area of your home where you can easily monitor your child’s Internet activity.
• Teach your children not to give out personal information to anyone they do not know in the physical world.
• Supervise your child’s chat-room activity and only allow your children in monitored chat rooms.
• Set time limits and monitor the amount of time your child spends on the Internet, and at what times of day. Excessive time online, especially at night, may indicate a problem.
• Do not permit your child to have an online profile, which serves as a lightening rod for predators. With this restriction, he or she will not be listed in directories and is less likely to be approached in chat rooms where pedophiles often search for prey.
• Consider investing in protective software. Ask your Internet service provider or local software retailer for suggestions or visit an Internet search engine and conduct a keyword search for blocking and filtering software.