Online Safety Tips for Kids and Parents
from the May 2005
Newsletter
Compiled by The Detroit News
To avoid contact with online predators, experts advise children:
- Never give out personal information like your name, address, age, sex, phone number or
school name, unless you have your parents' permission.
- Don't send your picture to anybody without your parents' permission.
- Tell parents if you come across information that makes you feel uncomfortable.
- Never arrange face-to-face meetings with people you have met over the Internet.
- Don't respond to messages that are mean or make you feel uncomfortable (and tell your
parents right away so they can call the police or Internet service provider).
- Don't do anything online that hurts somebody or breaks the law.
- Talk with your parents to set up rules for when you can use the Internet and appropriate
areas you can visit. Don't break the rules without their permission.
- Don't give out your Internet passwords to anybody except your parents (not even to your
best friend).
- Remember, people may not be who they say they are.
For parents
- Be open with kids and encourage them to come to you if they encounter a problem online.
- Keep the computer in a high-traffic part of the house, like the living room.
- Learn everything you can about the Internet.
- Learn everything you can about the Internet.
- Check out blocking and filtering programs.