Cyber Safety Tips
As a community we have worked hard to teach children about safety. It is
also important to remember safety in regards to technology. Below you will
find tips to keep your children technologically safe:

Consider keeping the computer in an open location like the kitchen or
family room. It is never a good idea to have a computer in a bedroom.

Monitor the files that have been downloaded

Consider parental controls and privacy settings

Know the lingo: ASL (age, sex, location), BRB (be right back), POS
(parents over shoulder), PIR (parents in room). Visit
www.teenchatdecoder.com for more information.

Tell your children you will not be upset with them if they accidently
stumble upon an inappropriate website. Let them know it is OK to tell
you. A child might be doing a research project and accidently come
across an inappropriate website.

Never give any personal information such as last name, school, town,
date of birth, post pictures that detail local sports teams, etc. This
information can be easily used to locate a person. You never know who
is looking.

Never reply to an instant message, email, or friendship request if you
don’t know the person. Children are curious, so they reply. This is an
easy and dangerous way to get hooked into talking with someone they
do not know.

Talk to your children about what they say in emails, instant messages,
and texting. It is easy to say too much and to say things online or
through texting that you would never say in person. Also teach
children not to argue with friends or talk badly about people online or
through texting. Conversations can be forwarded to other people.

Harassment online and through texting is illegal. Never respond when
a person harasses you. Save and print out the entire conversation and
bring it to the police. While police can recover most information, it is
easier if you save and print it. You are welcome to inform the school in
addition to the police, but it is imperative that you call the police.

Do not let children sleep with cell phones in their room. Before
children go to bed, consider making them hand you the phone.

If your children post anything, make sure it is approved by you. Videos
and photographs can be saved and circulated.

Be cognizant; if you child is gaming online be mindful of who they are
playing with and what they are discussing (sometimes inappropriate
language is used while games are being played. You never know if your
child is playing and communicating with another child, or a stranger.

A good rule for your children to follow – if you would be embarrassed
if your parents, grandparents, or teacher saw something you texted,
emailed, or posted, you should not be doing it.
Technology is a wonderful asset, but it can also be very dangerous. It is
important that we work together to help children navigate technology in a
safe manner. It is impossible to watch children every second; however, it is
important that we provide them with the appropriate tools to stay safe in
this technological world. If you would like more information you can speak to
Mrs. Kadyszewski, or you can visit www.netsmartz.org.