Internet Safety Rules

For Kids

• Do not give out personal information such as your address, telephone number, parent's work address/telephone number, or the name and location of your school without your parent's permission.

• Tell your parents right away if you come across any information that makes you feel uncomfortable.

• Never agree to get together with someone you "meet" online without first checking with your parents. If your parents agree to the meeting,  be sure that it is in a public place and bring an adult along.

• Never send a person your picture or anything else without first checking with your parents or another responsible adult.

• Do not respond to any messages that are mean or in any way make you feel uncomfortable. It is not your fault if you get a message like that. If you do, tell your parents right away so that they can contact the online service.

• Talk with your parents so that you can set up rules for going online. Decide upon the time of day that you can be online, the length of time you can be online, and appropriate areas for you to visit. Do not access other areas or break these rules without their permission.

For Parents

• Become computer literate and learn how to block objectionable material.
   
• Keep the computer in a common area, not in individual bedrooms, where you can watch and monitor your child.
   
• Watch for any changes in your child's behavior, such as closing down windows on the computer monitor when you walk in the room, odd phone calls, late night computer usage or withdrawal from family activities.
   
• Share an email account with your child so you can monitor messages.
   
• Bookmark your child's favorite sites for easy access.
   
• Spend time online together to teach your child appropriate online behavior.
   
• Forbid your child from entering private chat rooms; block them with safety features provided by your Internet service provider or with special filtering software. Be aware that posting messages to chat rooms reveals your child's email address to others.
   
• Monitor your credit card and phone bills for unfamiliar account charges.
   
• Find out what, if any, online protection is offered by your child's school, after-school center, friends' homes, or any place where he or she could use a computer without your supervision.
   
• Take your child seriously if he or she reports an uncomfortable online exchange and praise your child for their courage in coming and sharing the problem with you.
   
• Forward copies of obscene or threatening messages you or your child receives to your Internet service provider.
   
• Call the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at (800) 843-5678 if you are aware of the transmission, use, or viewing of child pornography online. Contact your local law enforcement agency or the FBI if your child has received child pornography via the Internet.

Many sites use "cookies," devices that track specific information about the user, such as name, email address, and shopping preferences. Cookies can be disabled. Ask your Internet service provider for more information.