You would not let a stranger walk into your house or into your child's bedroom, but you are letting it happen - through the Internet, keep your children safe!! Be aware of what your child is doing online ... keep a close eye on them. It is a dangerous world out there, someone is watching them - it would be best if it were you!!! Check with them regularly, look at their postings regularly, keep an open line of communication with them. Do not over-react, do not under-react, be happy that they are coming to you with something that is going on with them.
SOME TIPS FOR ONLINE SAFETY (safeteens.com and blogsafety.com) #1 - BE HONEST ABOUT YOUR AGE: Membership rules are there to protect people. For example: if you are under 13, you should not have a Facebook account. If you are too young to sign up, do not lie about your age.
#2 - BE AS ANONYMOUS AS POSSIBLE: Avoid posting anything that could enable a stranger to locate you (your last name, name of your school, sports team, your town, area you 'hang out' in, etc.).
#3 - PHOTOS - THINK BEFORE POSTING: What you upload on the Internet can be downloaded by anyone... anyone! They can pass it around and/or own that posting forever - even if you don't want it on the Internet anymore. Avoid posting pictures that allow people to identify you - do not post pictures of other people (ask them first). Before uploading a photo, think about how you would feel it it were seen by your parent(s), grandparent(s), future employer, etc.
#4 - CHECK COMMENTS REGULARLY: If you allow them on your profile or blog, check them often. Do not respond to mean or embarassing comments... delete them! If possible, block offensive people from commenting further.
#5 - PROTECT YOUR INFORMATION: Check to see if your serve has a 'friends' list that allows you to control who can visit your profile or blog. If so, allow only people you know (in the real world) and trust. If you don't use privacy features, anyone can see your information, including people with bad intentions.
#6 - AVOID IN-PERSON MEETINGS: Do not get together with someone you "meet" in a profile or blog. It is not risk-free, but if you plan to meet with someone you have met online, it should be in a public place and with your parents - please note, this could be a dangerous situation!! People online are not always who they say they are!!!!
Take the "Facts About Cyberbullying" quiz... click here!
Take the "Dealing with Cyberbullying" quiz... click here!
Take the "Addressing Cyberbullying" quiz... click here!
Passwords are important! You want a strong password. You need a system or a strategy for deciding your password for each account or program you have/use. Watch the video, "Creating Passwords" ... click here!
Here is another way to create strong passwords, think through what would work best for you. Watch "How to Create a Strong Password" ... click here!
Here are the top 10 most common passwords, is one of them your password? Watch the video, "10 Most Common Passwords" ... click here!
Passphrases and Passwords - what is your strategy or system for creating your passwords? Never use the same password. Watch the video, "How to Make Passwords Secure" ... click here!
Check out this video! Did you know that people can track you down to the very spot where your picture was taken? Click here to learn more about this... click here! For even more information regarding this same topic, click here!
Click here to watch, "Internet Dangers - Everyone Knows Sarah" ... click here!
Click here to watch, "Think Before You Post" ... click here!
Click here to watch, "Oversharing: Think Before You Post" ... click here!
Click here to watch, "Ten Questions You Should Ask Before You Post" ... click here (video ends at 4:02)
Click here to watch, "Share With Care" ... lots of good reminders... click here!
Click here to watch, "Computer Security" ... click here!
Click here to watch, "Stand Up to Cyberbullying" ... click here!
CYBER SAFETY GAMES/VIDEOS/LOTS OF INFORMATION: NSTeens