A Fleming Parent’s Guide to Child Safety on the Internet Adapted by Kam Purewal June 24,2010 Based on: Responding to Cyberbullying: A Guide for School Communities by VSB & Original PowerPoint by Brian Metcalfe February 25, 2003

What do Children do Online? 1. Research for school projects 2. Visit Websites- (eg.You Tube) 3. Send and Receive 4. Use Social Networking Sites (Facebook) 5. Instant Messaging (eg.MSN) 6. Visit Chat Rooms 7. Play online games

1. What are Websites? A Website is a page or pages with information, pictures, video’s and links to download games, music and software A Website is a page or pages with information, pictures, video’s and links to download games, music and software You Tube is a website anyone can use to view and post video clips You Tube is a website anyone can use to view and post video clips Be aware the video clips on You Tube can be funny, educational, violent or inappropriate Be aware the video clips on You Tube can be funny, educational, violent or inappropriate Always monitor what your child is watching or posting on You tube Always monitor what your child is watching or posting on You tube

2. What is ? Electronic mail ( ) Electronic mail ( ) People can instantly send and receive information, pictures, and videos to anyone in the world People can instantly send and receive information, pictures, and videos to anyone in the world Know all your child’s addresses and passwords –ensure they use strong usernames and passwords Know all your child’s addresses and passwords –ensure they use strong usernames and passwords Remind them not to give out personal information online or open s from strangers (your identity can be stolen) Remind them not to give out personal information online or open s from strangers (your identity can be stolen)

3. What are Social Networking Sites? Social Networking sites, such as Facebook, allow people to create profiles to connect with friends and post information, pictures and video’s about themselves. Social Networking sites, such as Facebook, allow people to create profiles to connect with friends and post information, pictures and video’s about themselves.Facebook Strangers can locate and contact peoples personal information- (Be aware of cyberbullying and identity theft) Strangers can locate and contact peoples personal information- (Be aware of cyberbullying and identity theft) Monitor what your child is posting on their site and who they accept as friends Monitor what your child is posting on their site and who they accept as friends Children should never join a site without reading the privacy policy Children should never join a site without reading the privacy policyprivacy policyprivacy policy

4. What is Instant Messaging? Instant Messaging or (IM), such as MSN, is a popular way for people to chat with friends in real time over the internet Instant Messaging or (IM), such as MSN, is a popular way for people to chat with friends in real time over the internet People create contact lists of friends to chat with and block people they don’t know or don’t want to communicate with People create contact lists of friends to chat with and block people they don’t know or don’t want to communicate with Review your child’s contact list with them Review your child’s contact list with them They should never fill out a personal profile online, anyone can view it They should never fill out a personal profile online, anyone can view it

5. What are Chat Rooms? Chat rooms are virtual rooms where people from anywhere in the world can exchange information and ideas Chat rooms are virtual rooms where people from anywhere in the world can exchange information and ideas People type messages back and forth to someone else with instant responses People type messages back and forth to someone else with instant responses Anyone can log into a chat room and see what others are saying Anyone can log into a chat room and see what others are saying Don’t allow children to visit chat rooms. Adults can pose as children to get their personal information and contact them Don’t allow children to visit chat rooms. Adults can pose as children to get their personal information and contact them

6. What are Online Games? Online games allow people to play games with friends or strangers anywhere in the world Online games allow people to play games with friends or strangers anywhere in the world Some games allow players to create the characters and the setting of the game Some games allow players to create the characters and the setting of the game Playing online games can increase chances of internet addiction Playing online games can increase chances of internet addiction Monitor what games your child is playing and if they are appropriate Monitor what games your child is playing and if they are appropriate

Advice for Parents Educate yourself Educate yourself Centralize location of computer Centralize location of computer Monitor your child’s internet use Monitor your child’s internet use Install filtering software Install filtering software Establish ground rules and age appropriate consequences Establish ground rules and age appropriate consequences VSB Policy ( consequences at school) VSB Policy ( consequences at school) Be aware children can access the internet on mobile devices Be aware children can access the internet on mobile devices

Ground Rules Explain to children that talking to someone on the Internet is like talking to a stranger Explain to children that talking to someone on the Internet is like talking to a stranger Never give out personal information about themselves like name, address, school, sports team, phone number etc. Never give out personal information about themselves like name, address, school, sports team, phone number etc. Ask them to inform you immediately if they are asked for personal information Ask them to inform you immediately if they are asked for personal information Never meet with someone from whom they have received Never meet with someone from whom they have received

Sample Internet Filters Cyber Patrol Cyber Patrol Cyber Patrol Cyber Patrol A utility that allows parents to manage computer use in their householdA utility that allows parents to manage computer use in their household Net Nanny Net Nanny Net Nanny Net Nanny A utility that allows parents to see and control access to websites and block sites they deem inappropriateA utility that allows parents to see and control access to websites and block sites they deem inappropriate Cyber Sitter Cyber Sitter Cyber Sitter Cyber Sitter Gives parents the ability to limit their children’s access to the InternetGives parents the ability to limit their children’s access to the Internet

Guidelines for Parents A computer is not a babysitter – take interest in what your child is doing on-line. A computer is not a babysitter – take interest in what your child is doing on-line. Establish rules for going on-line – when, where and how long they can go on the Internet every day. Establish rules for going on-line – when, where and how long they can go on the Internet every day. Keep the computer in a common room, easy to monitor- not in the bedroom Keep the computer in a common room, easy to monitor- not in the bedroom Never let children send their photograph or a video of themselves unless it is a friend of the family or relative -with your permission Never let children send their photograph or a video of themselves unless it is a friend of the family or relative -with your permission

Guidelines for Parents (Cont…) Tell your child they can talk to you about what they are doing on-line, and if anything makes them feel uncomfortable or scared. Tell your child they can talk to you about what they are doing on-line, and if anything makes them feel uncomfortable or scared. They should never use inappropriate language or bully anyone on-line. They should never use inappropriate language or bully anyone on-line. Students negative on-line behaviour can have in school consequences - based on the school code and VSB policy Students negative on-line behaviour can have in school consequences - based on the school code and VSB policy

Guidelines for Parents (Cont…) Teach your children that when they are in cyberspace, everyone is a stranger. Teach your children that when they are in cyberspace, everyone is a stranger. Post Internet safety rules in a visible location. (see handout) Post Internet safety rules in a visible location. (see handout) Monitor your child’s access on the computer and mobile devices (cell phones, iphones) these include web sites, , chat lines and instant messaging. Monitor your child’s access on the computer and mobile devices (cell phones, iphones) these include web sites, , chat lines and instant messaging. Children should use strong passwords and usernames that don’t hold personal information Children should use strong passwords and usernames that don’t hold personal information

Parent Web Sites

Web Sites Worth Visiting “Young Canadians In A Wired World” “Young Canadians In A Wired World”Young Canadians In A Wired WorldYoung Canadians In A Wired Worldhttp:// “Illegal & Offensive Content on the Internet” “Illegal & Offensive Content on the Internet” & Offensive Content on the InternetIllegal & Offensive Content on the Internet Child Find Manitoba & Cybertip!ca Child Find Manitoba & Cybertip!ca Child Find ManitobaCybertip!ca Child Find ManitobaCybertip!cahttp:// Greenway School – Internet Safety Greenway School – Internet SafetyInternet SafetyInternet Safetyhttp://

Handouts &

Work Cited 1.Internet Safety Power point by Brian Metcalfe. Feb.23, Responding to Cyberbullying: A guide for School Communities by VSB Jan nd Edition.