Internet Safety Information

Charter Township of Orion
Oakland County, Michigan

Internet Safety Information

Courtesy of the Oakland County Sheriff Department

Parent's Guide to Child Safety on the Internet

What is the Internet? The Internet is a collection of computer networks that allows people to find and use information and communicate with others throughout the World Wide Web. The "Web" is the system that allows you to browse through a variety of linked Internet resources, organized by home pages or web sites.
What are the Benefits of My Child Using the Internet? Being online with a computer opens up a world of educational resources for your child. Homework help, connecting with places around the world, and learning to have fun together with online friends can increase reading skills, communications, and improve your child's technical skills.
What Are the Risks of My Child Using the Internet? Unsolicited mail, often about unacceptable subjects, products, or schemes, may be sent to your child. Some sites promote inappropriate ideas. Much of the information online is inaccurate, misleading, or untrue. Personal information requested may be used in unauthorized ways.
Can Parent Controls Help? Parent Control blocking software can help you restrict access to only materials approved as kid-safe, and allow you to block additional materials you feel are inappropriate for your child. Some help enforce time limits. The best protection is to purchase blocking software or use the controls that your ISP provides, and update frequently. No Parent Control program is 100% reliable.
How Else Can I Keep My Child Safe? Keep your computer in a family area to better monitor your child's activity. Regularly spend time online together to learn about your child's interests and activities. Make sure your child understands what you consider appropriate. Explain the dangers, and set clear, reasonable rules for your child's online activities.

Facts About...

Facts About

Benefits

Risks

Safety Steps

Email

Good for keeping in touch with teachers, family, and friends. Your child may receive regular publications by email. Encourages writing and reading skill development.

Unsolicited email comes from many sources. Some emailers attach files and links to web sites that may be inappropriate.

Teach your child not to open unidentifiable emails, download files, or go to web sites at the suggestion of a manager.

Chat Rooms

Children learn to socialize with people from all over the world, can talk with kids with similar interests and concerns, communicate instantly with family, friends, teachers, etc.

Language can be offensive, children may encounter people who want to harm them. Too much time online can limit a child's develop-ment by taking the place of face-to-face inter-actions and activities.

Accompany your child in chat rooms until he or she learns your safety rules, explain that people aren't always who they say they are, limit your child to specific rooms or consider blocking.

Homework Research

The Internet has unlimited sources of information available for research and homework help. Online reference files are generally the most up-to-date available.

While searching for reference sources, your child may come across inappropriate web sites accidentally. Also, the information online may not be accurate and can be misleading.

Set Parent Controls to limit the choices your child may access. Teach your child to find multiple online sources and use the local library to compare information for accuracy.

Games

Computer games can develop a child's technical computer skills and manual dexterity. Many enhance concentration and thinking skills.

Not all game sites are appropriate, some are suggestive and others involve gambling. It is against the law for any minor to participate in gambling activities, even on the Internet.

Block games if you wish your child to make other use of his or her online experience. Games may become a replacement for schoolwork, sports, friends, and other activities.

Guidelines for Children on the Internet

Share these online rules with your child and ensure that they are followed.

Never tell anyone personal information about you unless you ask a parent or guardian first.
Never agree to meet anyone in person you meet online.
Don't say mean things to anyone online.
If others say mean things online, go somewhere else online, or sign off quickly; always tell your parents.
Remember that a person may pretend to be someone different online.
You should not be at a site or in a chat room if you would feel uncomfortable sharing it with your parents.
If you come across such a site or chat room, click the back button and go somewhere else online right away.
Don't do anything online that you know you shouldn't do in real life.

What Parents Can Do

Learn all you can about the Internet - then find and mark sites for your child to visit - library references, fun activity sites, games, joke pages, etc.
When your child informs you of inappropriate sites or actions, contact your ISP or the company that created the material.
Set up your child's screen name (online identity) to assure it does not reveal information about your child's real name or age.
Store password (needed to access the Internet) so your child does not need it to sign on.
Periodically check your child's email messages.
Spend time online together until you are assured that your child understands the potential dangers, and how to handle difficult situations.

Internet Safety Information Web Sites

The following list of websites is from Sheriff Michael J. Bouchard:

Netiquette

Internet users are expected to follow the same standards of behavior online as in real life. Teach your child these basic rules of "netiquette" - appropriate behavior for Internet users.

Never use in appropriate language or be rude online.
Show respect for other people's time, input, and privacy.
Be forgiving of other people's mistakes.
Don't type in all capital letters, this is the equivalent of shouting.
Be a good cyberspace citizen - don't abuse this privilege.

Glossary of Terms

Browser: A software program that lets you find, see, and hear materials on the World Wide Web.
Chat Room: A location that allows users to communicate instantly with each other about an agreed-upon topic.
Internet: A worldwide collection of computer networks that allows people to find and use information and communicate with others.
ISP (Internet Service Provider): A term for any company that can connect you directly to the Internet.
Netiquette: Rules or manners for interacting courteously with others online.
Search Engine: A program that performs searches for information on the Internet.
World Wide Web: A system that allows you to browse through a variety of linked Internet resources organized by colorful graphic home pages or web sites.