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Child Safety on the Information Highway

NCJ Number
211437
Author(s)
Lawrence J. Magid
Date Published
2005
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This brochure offers Internet safety tips for children.
Abstract
While the Internet offers many exciting opportunities for knowledge, there are also opportunities for harm. Children have increasing access to the Internet, at home, at school, at friend's houses, and at libraries and cafes. It is important to arm children with the knowledge necessary to keep them safe while they are online. The vast benefits of the Internet are described, as well as the risks to children. Specific risks to children on the Internet are identified and include exposure to inappropriate material, physical molestation, and harassment. The brochure describes how families can reduce these risks to children and offers specific guidelines for parents or guardians, such as making a family rule that no identifying information is to be given online and never allowing a child to meet with anyone from the Internet in a face-to-face encounter without an adult's permission and supervision. Overall, families are encouraged to keep children safe online by making family involvement and supervision a part of every day life.