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The Internet has literally opened up a world of information, education and communication possibilites. It allows us to book travel reservations, read news from around the world, shop and communicate with friends all from the comfort of home, work, or even your favorite coffee shop. For most people using the internet has become a part of daily life and is a positive and safe experience. However, the internet is also a place where predators lurk, waiting for their next victim. A great deal of content that exists online is not appropriate for children. This content can include nudity or other sexually explicit material; hate or racist web sites; promotional material about tobacco, alcohol, or drugs; graphic violence; information about satanic or cult groups; or even recipes for making bombs and explosives at home. Theft of personal information is also a growing problem. It is important to check the legitimacy of a web site before giving personal information, including your name, social security number, address, telephone number, and credit-card numbers. For law enforcement, we must consider the dark side of the internet when we are confronted with the daunting task of responding to parents whose young son or daughter has gone missing. Because of technology and the internet, we must always consider the possiblity that any child who goes missing "may" have met up with someone they initially encountered online. 1. 90% of the internet initiated cases of child sexual abuse involved children 13 through 16. 2. Only 25% of the youth who encountered a sexual solicitation or approach told a parent. 3. Less than 10% of sexual solicitations were reported to authorities such as a law-enforcement agency, and internet service provider, or a hotline. 4. Establish rules for internet use. 5. Keep the computer in a common room ( not in the childs bedroom) 6. Discuss with your child the importance of telling you or a trusted adult if something ever makes them feel uncomfortable. 7. Communicate with your child and react calmly if your child shares information about internet activity with you. 8. Learn everything you can about the computer, including parental controls your internet service provider offers. 9. Consider safegaurding such as using parental controls and filtering, blocking and monitoring software. 10. Report any incidents of sexual exploitation to the CyberTipline at 1800-843-5678, and your local police. 11. Know who your children talk to online and what their screen name is. 12.. Talk to your children about what personal information is and make sure they dont share it with anyone online. 13. Find out what sites your children visit online and supervise their internet usage. 14. Find out what other places your child may use the internet. (school, libray, friends house)
Communication tools on the Internet 1. Internet Relay Chat (IRC) is a system that enables people online to join in live discussions, allowing people to engage in real-time chat. IRC is like a CB radio on the internet. 2. Usenet is a worldwide system of discussion groups where users' postings are shared, like a worldwide bulletin board. 3. Instant Messanger (IM) is a program that allows one-on-one communication in real time between users who are online at the same time. IM is becomming the new form of communication for children and teens.
Cell Phone Dangers Todays cell phones are not just mobile telephones; the're also web browsers, instant messengers, and email terminals. In other words, just about everything that you can do on a computer you can do on a cell phone. Text messaging allows users to send and recieve short messages through thier cellular telephones. Users of all ages need to be extremely cautious.
Internet Safety Tips for Kids 1. Don't give out personal information 2. Do not respond to mean, offensive, threatening or unwanted e-mail or instant messages. 3. Choose a screen name that doesnt identify you as a boy or girl. 4. Dont share your password with anyone. 5. Remember people online may not be who they say that they are.
The Grinnell Police Department appreciates the need for computer users to protect there personal information and family while using there home computers online. We provide the following links to assist you in being more secure while online. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please email Computer Security Concerns . Protecting Your Children Online
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