This document provides information and tips for parents about internet safety for children. It discusses how most teens use the internet daily and have cell phones. It also reports statistics on online victimization of youth, such as receiving unwanted explicit images or threats. The document advises parents to monitor their children's internet use, maintain open communication, and consider using parental control software. It provides age-based guidelines for social media and tips parents can share with their teens to promote internet safety.

1. Natalie Wyrick
Internet Safety
A
Parent’s Guide

2. E-pal Assignment
We are beginning an assignment that will require
your child to have an e-pal. We will be doing this
with another class at another school over the
internet. Before we start we want parents to be a
little more informed about internet safety. We
designed this powerpoint to give you more
information about internet safety so you can
prepare yourself and your student for the project at
hand. Thanks so much for your cooperation.

3. Data of teens between
the ages of 12 and 17.
use the internet 87%
use the internet daily 51%
Kids in the U.S.
have cell phones 45%
texting 38%
instant message (IM) 75%
play online games 81%
0% 23% 45% 68% 90%

4. Online Victimization of Youth
(2008):
 1 in 7 children (13%) received sexual
solicitation or were approached with in
the last year.
 1 in 3 (34%) had an unwanted exposure to
pictures of naked people or people having
sex.
 1 in 11 (9%) was threatened or harassed.
 1 in 25 (4%) received an “aggressive”
sexual solicitation.
› A solicitor who: asked to meet them

5. What should Parents
do?
1. Learn everything you can about
computers, the internet and related
technology.
› Develop and maintain proficiency through use
› Ask children to demonstrate.
2. Communicate with your children.
› Take time to discuss concerns; agree on
ground rules.
› Understand their needs.
› Set reasonable expectations.
3. Place the computer in a “well-trafficked”

6. 4. Ensure that they do
not divulge detailed
personal information
when completing
“profiles” and
minimize
dissemination.
5. Keep ALL accounts in
your name.
6. Know your child’s
password(s) and
screen name(s).

7. 7. Consider use of computer internet
management Software:
› Age-based access levels- allows for carious
levels of access for different family members
› Filtering and Blocking (incoming and
outgoing)
› Time Restrictions
› Activity Logs- Parents can view logs that list
web sites visited, blocked, and chat
sessions…software can even capture screen
shots and email messages to you if a rule is
violated

8. Blogs, IM, Chat Rooms, Email:
What is reasonable?
 Under 8: Children should not be
using IM, chat room, or blogs
(period). Email should be restricted
to only approved senders.
 8-10: If you add IM or chat make
sure only pre-approved senders can
send to your child. NO blogs!
 10-12: Give them more privacy, as
long as it is with people you trust.

9.  13-15: Respect their privacy even more. Give
them more leeway regarding IM, e-mail, chat, and
blogs. But check and account for everyone, in real
life, on their buddy lists. NO friends of friends!
 16 and over: Parental involvement becomes
difficult at best-if good judgment and
communication have not been firmly established
by now… all beats are off!
› If they have earned your trust, give it to them!
› If not, unplug the computer and take away
their cell phone and interactive gaming

10. QUESTIONS
 If you have Information that the
Internet or a computer is being used
to victimized a child, contact the
NYS ICAC Task Force at:
1-800-474-KIDS
nysicac@troopers.state.ny.us

11. 10 Tips to Share with Your
Teen
Internet Survival Tips for Kids and Teens
Never give any personal information to anyone you meet online. That means first or last names,
phone numbers (they can be used to track down you home), passwords, birth dates or years, or
credit card information.
Never meet up with anyone you don't already know. Don't tell anyone your schedule; don't say
where you'll be hanging out. No party announcements. People are often not who they say they
are. It's true: 1 in 5 kids will be sexually solicited online.
Don't fill out any "fun" questionnaires that are forwarded to you, even if they're from your
friends. Remember, you're in a world where everything can get forwarded. All those personal
things about you could land in the hands of someone who could use them to harm you.
Don't send pictures of other people. Forwarding an embarrassing picture of someone else is a
form of Make sure you know everyone on your buddy list. If you haven't met the people face-to-
face, they may not be who they pretend to be. Also, Instant Messaging strangers is an invasion
of their privacy.
How would you like it if someone did that to you?

12. You do not have to answer emails or IMs from people you don't know. As a matter of
fact, you shouldn't. Who knows who they are? Even if they say they're "David's friend,"
David could be a lucky guess. "Kids" you meet in chat rooms may actually be creepy
adults.
There's no such thing as "private" on the Internet. You may think so, but it's not true.
People can find anything they want — and keep what you post — forever.
Be careful about posting pictures of yourself (if you must, don't post sexy ones or ones
showing behavior you wouldn't want your mom, teacher, boss, or potential college
advisor to see). Just because an older sibling has posted snaps on a site doesn't make it a
smart or a safe idea. Pictures with identifiers like where you go to school can be
shopping lists for online predators and other creeps.
Don't download content without your parents' permission. Many sites have spyware that
will damage your computer. Other sites have really inappropriate content. Your parents
can check your computer's URL history, so you can't hide where you've been.
Never share your password with anyone but your parents.

13. Resources
 http://kidshealth.org/parent/
positive/family/net_safety.html
 http://www.fbi.gov/publications/
pguide/
 http://www.commonsense.com/
internet-safety-tips/tips-for-
kids.php