5400 Federal Plaza
Suite 1500
Hammond, IN 46320

219.937.5500

Tips for Parents

• Keep the computer in a room other than the child’s bedroom, so you can monitor what your child is doing, and for how long.
• Set up an agreement and guidelines with your child about the use of the computer, including appropriate schedules and durations.
• Understand the services that your child uses online. If you do not understand them, have your child teach you about them.
• Investigate blocking and screening services offered by your ISP or by other web sites or software providers.
• Spend time online with your child so that you can set a good example for online behavior.
• Never respond to threatening or offensive messages, and encourage your child to do the same.
• Encourage your child never to give out any personal information.
• When discussing your child’s day, be sure and ask about time spent online.
• Remind your children never to meet anyone they have met online without your permission and without your presence.
• Make sure to learn about everyone your child meets online, and discuss these relationships with your child.

Tips for Children

• Do not give out personal information such as address, telephone number, parents’ work address or work telephone number, or the name and location of your school without your parents’ permission.
• If you ever encounter something online that you don’t understand or that makes you uncomfortable, tell a parent or teacher right away.
• Never get together with someone you met online without getting your parents’ permission first. If a meeting is decided, be sure that it is in a public place and that you bring one or both parents along.
• Do not send any picture of yourself to anyone without getting your parents’ permission first.
• Do not respond to any messages that make you feel uncomfortable. It is not your fault if you get a message like that, and it is okay to tell your parents no matter what it is.
• Follow the rules that your parents set for computer and Internet use. Always make sure it is okay to go online before you do so.
• Remember that people may not always be who they say they are.

Courtesy of www.internet-safety.org