Keeping Your Children Safe

1. Keeping Your Children Safe

2. Devices That Can Be Used to Access the Internet Desktop/Laptop Computers Cell phones- Smart Phones Gaming Systems – Playstation, Xbox live, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DSi, any online computer game PDA or Palm Pilot or I-Pod Touch

3. Cyberbullies • Viruses or hidden spyware • endangers family privacy • computer health • Identity Theft • affects children and adults • Inappropriate information • pornographic and violent images • hate literature • Sexual predators • chat rooms • blogs • message boards • email & Instant Messaging Potential Dangers and Pitfalls

4. Cell Phones- 4 out of 5 teens have a cell phone • Teens Post Negative Images Online • “Sexting” – Sending nude or suggestive pics over the cell phone. • Inappropriate video using video phones • Online Bullying Using Cell Phones • Cheating on Tests • Suggestions: • Clarify child’s purpose for having phone • Check the phone bill • Set expectations for use. Cell Phones

5. The use of electronic means by a minor to torment, threaten, harass, humiliate, embarrass or otherwise target another minor. • Cyberbullying is different from face-to-face bullying because the bully is removed from the immediate and tangible feedback of the victim.- ryanpatrickhalligan.com Cyberbullying

6. Social Networking

7. Social Network sites should be private • Be careful not to add too much information • No street addresses • No phone numbers • No full names on pics(especially children's pictures) • Control who can see your information • Don't accept "friend invitation" from strangers • Know who can see what you post • Parents keep an eye on your children's page

8. This is an example of a page that is not set to private. Information, Photos, etc are visible to anyone!

9. This page is set to private. This allows the owner to only allow certain people access to their information.

10. Privacy Settings

11. Many use the Chat feature in Facebook

12. Keepcomputer in a family area • Be aware of the amount of time spent online • Talk with children • Sit with your child while they’re online. Let them teach you. • Don’t overreact • Create rules and agreements • Post near computer • No secret passwords • Stay informed of Internet risks • Create your own Social Network site • Monitor Internet use What parents can do…

13. Know that sites may have age restrictions • May be ignored by children • May be accessed by accident • Check history, bookmarks, or favorites on all computers regularly • Recognize warning signs • Children spending too much time online • Mood changes • Stay Up-To-Date on Internet issues • "Friend" your Children on Social Network Sites • Monitor but don't over do it Monitoring Tips

14. Internet Filters • Not fool-proof, but better than ever • Teachers Monitor • Have selected sites to which children are limited. • Teach from an area with screen access • Integration of Internet Safety Lessons • TRTs and SRO’s work together with classroom teachers • Provide Resources What does MCPS do to protect your child online

15. MCPS Internet Safety Website National Center for Missing and Exploited Children www.take25.org