Internet Safety

Individuals may find that the Internet provides a vast, inexpensive, and potentially anonymous way to commit unlawful acts (The Electronic Frontier: The Challenge of Unlawful Conduct Involving the Internet, 2000). The Internet can give identity thieves, hackers, and scammers online access to your computer, financial and personal information and more (Stop.Think.Click: 7 Practices for Safer Computing, OnGuard Online, 2007).

For youths, the Internet often serves as a positive and powerful arena for socializing and learning. However, the use of the Internet also brings about risks to their safety, including the dangers of sexual solicitation, online harassment, and bullying, and exposure to illegal content (Enhancing Child Safety and Online Technologies: Final Report of the Internet Safety Technical Task Force to the Multi-State Working Group on Social Networking of State Attorneys General of the United States, Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University, 2008).

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's National Strategy to Secure Cyberspace highlights the challenges faced by and the efforts put forth by the government, private sector, and American citizens when working to secure cyberspace (National Strategy to Secure Cyberspace, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 2003).

In recognition of National Internet Safety Month (June) and National Cyber Security Awareness Month (October) and for use throughout the year, NCJRS presents this compilation of resources on the topic. Please select a page from the listing below or from the box at the right under the "Internet Safety" heading:

• General Internet Safety
• Internet Safety for Children
• Internet Privacy
• Cyberbullying and Cyberstalking
• Identity Theft