1. A Parent’s Guide to Child Safety on the Internet

2. PGCPS Goals for Technology To improve student learning in core content areas and in the technology knowledge and skills critical to our students ability to contribute in todays information technology society. To improve student learning in core content areas and in the technology knowledge and skills critical to our students ability to contribute in todays information technology society.

3. What is the Internet? A global network connecting millions of computers together A global network connecting millions of computers together Connections are made through telephone and cable lines Connections are made through telephone and cable lines Includes WWW (World Wide Web), E-mail and Chat Includes WWW (World Wide Web), E-mail and Chat

4. Internet: The Benefits Instant Communications Instant Communications Web sites, E-mail, Instant Messaging, ChatWeb sites, E-mail, Instant Messaging, Chat Opportunities for learning Opportunities for learning Immediacy – no waiting for book to be printedImmediacy – no waiting for book to be printed Anything you want to know is on the ‘netAnything you want to know is on the ‘net Business Business On-line shopping, travel bargains, consumer comparisonsOn-line shopping, travel bargains, consumer comparisons Entertainment Entertainment Movies, music, gamesMovies, music, games

5. Internet: The Risks Viruses Viruses Unsolicited e-mail (SPAM & SCAM) Unsolicited e-mail (SPAM & SCAM) Inappropriate material Inappropriate material Pornography, pedophiles, propagandaPornography, pedophiles, propaganda Loss of privacy Loss of privacy Financial risks Financial risks

6. Young People in a Wired World KEY FINDINGS: 99% of youth have reported using the Internet 99% of youth have reported using the Internet 79% of children between the ages of 9 and 17 have Internet access at home 79% of children between the ages of 9 and 17 have Internet access at home 1 in 4 children have had a stranger ask to meet them in person 1 in 4 children have had a stranger ask to meet them in person 15% of all young Internet users have met in person at least 1 individual whom they first met on the Internet - of those only 6% were accompanied by a parent or other adult 15% of all young Internet users have met in person at least 1 individual whom they first met on the Internet - of those only 6% were accompanied by a parent or other adult

7. Young People in a Wired World KEY FINDINGS: 38% of young people say that their parents know nothing or very little about their on-line activities 38% of young people say that their parents know nothing or very little about their on-line activities 1 in 4 youth have been sent porn on the Internet by a stranger and 40% have been asked for personal information by a stranger 1 in 4 youth have been sent porn on the Internet by a stranger and 40% have been asked for personal information by a stranger 1 in 2 youth have an e-mail account that their parents don’t know about 1 in 2 youth have an e-mail account that their parents don’t know about

8. Safety in the Home “The best way to assure that your children are having positive on-line experiences is to stay in touch with what they are doing.” - Lawrence J. Magid National Center for Missing and Exploited Children

9. Advice for Parents Educate yourself Educate yourself Centralize location of computer Centralize location of computer Monitor your child’s use Monitor your child’s use Install filtering software Install filtering software Establish ground rules and age appropriate consequences Establish ground rules and age appropriate consequences

10. 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 Never give out personal information about themselves Ask them to inform you immediately if anyone asks them for personal information Ask them to inform you immediately if anyone asks them for personal information Never meet with someone from whom they have received e-mail Never meet with someone from whom they have received e-mail

11. Sample Internet Filters Cyber Patrol http://www.cyberpatrol.com Cyber Patrol http://www.cyberpatrol.com 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 http://www.netnanny.com Net Nanny http://www.netnanny.com 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 http://www.cybersitter.com Cyber Sitter http://www.cybersitter.com 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

12. The Victim – What to look for? Child or teen spends an excessive amount of time on-line Child or teen spends an excessive amount of time on-line Child or teen receives phone calls, mail and/or gifts from strangers Child or teen receives phone calls, mail and/or gifts from strangers Child or teen quickly changes the monitor or turns off the computer when someone else enters the room Child or teen quickly changes the monitor or turns off the computer when someone else enters the room Child or teen withdraws from normal activities – wants to go on the computer rather than play or go out with friends Child or teen withdraws from normal activities – wants to go on the computer rather than play or go out with friends

13. Guidelines for Parents A computer is not a babysitter – take interest in what kids are doing on-line. A computer is not a babysitter – take interest in what kids are doing on-line. Establish rules for going on-line – when, where and how long they will go on the Internet. Establish rules for going on-line – when, where and how long they will go on the Internet. Teach children to never, under any circumstance, give out personal information. Teach children to never, under any circumstance, give out personal information. Never let them send out their photograph unless it is a friend of the family or relative. Never let them send out their photograph unless it is a friend of the family or relative.

14. Guidelines for Parents (Cont…) Tell them they can talk to you about what they are doing on-line, and if anything makes them feel uncomfortable or scared. Tell them they can talk to you about what they are doing on-line, and if anything makes them feel uncomfortable or scared. They should never meet with someone they’ve first met on-line. They should never meet with someone they’ve first met on-line. Keep the computer in a common room – not in the basement or bedroom. Keep the computer in a common room – not in the basement or bedroom.

15. 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. Post Internet safety rules in a visible location. Monitor access, including web sites, e-mail, chat lines and instant messaging. Monitor access, including web sites, e-mail, chat lines and instant messaging. Ask your kids to share their computer or on-line experiences. Ask your kids to share their computer or on-line experiences.