Do's and Don'ts

Do's and Don'ts

Instruct your child:

a. To never arrange a face-to-face meeting with someone they meet online

b. To never upload (post) pictures of themselves onto the Internet

c. To never give out identifying information such as their name, home address, school name, or telephone number

d. To never download pictures from an unknown source, as there is a good chance there could be sexually explicit images

e. To never respond to messages or chats that are suggestive, obscene, belligerent, or harassing

f. That whatever they are told online may or may not be true

  • Personal responsibility while on-line. Consider talking openly with your child about your suspicions. Tell them about computer sex offenders.

  • Privacy concerns on the Internet. What private information is OK to share and what is not?

  • Urban Legends and Tales. Just because information is on the computer screen, it doesn't mean it's true. Do not believe everything some one tells you via the Internet.

  • Use of Common Sense. While we don't know the motives of everyone on the Internet, children need to keep some facts and tips in mind while on-line.

  • Virus checks. Always check for viruses when downloading from the Internet or using software from a friend. Viruses can cause serious damage to your computer and take you off-line.