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Internet
Saftey
Please Protect
Children From Becoming Victims
The
Internet is a great resource for children; however, if not monitored
correctly this object of convenience can become an unhealthy and hazardous
environment.
With
such an abundance of information at their fingertips, it is easy for
children to unknowingly end up in a pedophile's playground. Online chat
rooms, instant messages and message boards are easy ways for sexual
predators to hunt their prey.
Teach
Children The Following-
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Never
fill out questionnaires or any forms online or give out personal
information (such as name, age, address, phone number, school, town,
password, schedule) about yourself or anyone else. Make sure your
children understand that if he or she gives your phone number to
someone online, they can easily find your address and get a map
to your house. |
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Never
agree to meet in person with anyone you have spoken to online. Never
enter a chat room without Mom and/or Dad's presence or supervision.
Some "kids" you meet in chat rooms may not really be kids; they
may be adults with bad intentions. Remember, people may not be who
they say they are. |
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Never
tell anyone online where you will be or what you will be doing.
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Never
respond to or send e-mail to new people you meet online. Remember:
It is okay not to answer every e-mail and instant message. |
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Never
go into a new online area that is going to cost additional money
without first getting permission from Mom or Dad. |
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Never
send a picture over the Internet or via regular mail to anyone you've
met on the Internet. |
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Never
respond to any belligerent or suggestive contact or anything that
makes you feel uncomfortable. End such an experience by logging
off and telling your parents as soon as possible. |
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Always
tell someone you know about anything you saw, intentionally or unintentionally,
that is upsetting. (It is better for your child's mental health
to be able to discuss exposure to pornography than for it to become
a dark and confusing secret.) |
Parents
Should Do The Following-
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Be
sure to keep computers in common household areas. |
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Children
should have gender-neutral screen names. |
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Talk
to their child about what sites they visit, whom they communicate
with and who's on their buddy list. |
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No
software will ever be a substitute for being an active parent. |
Related
Resources
Family
Watchdog
www.familywatchdog.us
The
Victims National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
www.missingkids.com
The
Polly Klaas Foundation
www.pollyklaas.org
The
Jessica Marie Lunsford Foundation
www.jmlfoundation.com
Amber
Alert
www.amberalert.gov
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