Project Click Safe^SM - 10 Tips to Keeping Your Child Safe Online

10 Tips for Keeping Your Child Safe:

1. Learn about the technologies your child is using:

• Learn how to check your child’s Internet surfing history, instant message archive, or chatroom activity.
• Project Click Safe is working to schedule free Internet workshops for parents in the fall of 2007.  These workshops will be available at the parents’ home school district.
• Know the features of your child’s cellular telephone and know how to check the call log and text message record.

2. Install security software that includes firewall and spyware protection.

• Check with your Internet service provider or with your local computer store about software that you can install on your computer.
• Learn how to install the software and password protect it (do not share the password with your child).

3. Set parameters for your child’s on-line activities:

• Set time limits for how long your child can spend on-line – and emphasize the importance of striking a balance between their on-line time and other activities.
• Spend time with your child and show him/her

4. Take charge of your computer

• Be responsible for maintaining the password on your child’s e-mail account and instant messaging program.
• Know ALL of your child’s e-mail addresses and randomly their e-mail accounts.

5. Put your computer in a central location.

• Select a location for your computer where you can view the monitor and know what your child is doing online.
• Never allow a web cam in a private location.

6. Learn to speak the language of the Internet.

• Develop a basic understanding of the lingo that children use in chatrooms and while instant messaging.
• Learn basic computer terminology.

7. Talk with your child about what is and is not appropriate information to share on-line:

• A person encountered on line is a stranger…no matter how friendly, no matter how much they seem to care.  A good rule of thumb for your child to follow is: if you (as the parent) have never met the person or the person’s parents, he/she is a stranger.
• Never share personal information including your name, address, or telephone number.
• Don’t tell strangers where you go to school, where your school bus stop is, or where you are meeting your friends.
• Never submit pictures to someone you do not know and never post personal pictures on a web site.

8. Establish guidelines for your child to let you know if he/she has been contacted by a harasser, bully or predator (or if your child encounters anything that makes him/her uncomfortable):

• Tell your child to turn off the monitor (do NOT turn off the computer) and find you immediately.
• Go to the computer, turn on the monitor and print the screen.
• Reassure your child that he/she has not done anything wrong
• If serious, report the incident to: your Internet service provider, the Attorney General’s Child Predator Hotline (1-800-385-1044) or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s Cyber Tipline (1-800-843-5678).

9. Know the resources that are available to help you keep your child safe.
   
10. Talk with other parents and share your ideas, concerns, and issues.