Internet Safety

The best way to ensure your child’s safety on the Internet is to be there. Of course, that is not always possible. Just as you teach your child rules about dealing with strangers outside the home, you must provide rules for communicating online.

Suggested rules for kids:

1. Always ask your parents’ permission before using your full name, address, telephone number, or school name anywhere on the Internet.
2. Always tell your parents or other adults you trust if you see something online that is scary or that you don’t understand.
3. Don’t respond to messages that make you feel uncomfortable or uneasy.
4. Never give out a credit card number or password online.
5. Never arrange to meet in person someone you’ve met online unless you discuss it with your parents and an adult goes with you.

Teach children that not everything they see or hear may be true. Some sites may be trying to sell them something or contain inaccurate information.

Remember, the vast majority of Internet sites are perfectly safe. But, like the real world, the virtual world contains some sites with sexual, violent, and other content that may not be appropriate for children.

If you have a home computer, a number of software filters are available to block Web sites you may not want your child to visit. Parents need to understand that filters are not perfect. They cannot block everything you might not want your child to see and they may block information that is helpful. Even if filters were 100 percent effective, this software is no substitute for parental guidance.

We strongly recommend that you supervise older as well as younger children’s Internet use at home and at the library. It’s a good idea to place computers in the kitchen, family room, or living room so that you can see your child using it. Young children should never be allowed to “surf the Net” alone.