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Safe Surfing Using the Internet Safely

NCJ Number
212468
Date Published
2004
Length
0 pages
Annotation
These federally supported DVD-ROMs provide important and helpful safety tips for both children and parents for when children access the Internet.
Abstract
The Internet is utilized by children to play games, instant message, conduct research projects, and do homework. The Internet is a tool that needs to be used safely. Children need to learn how to utilize this tool responsibly and learn the right techniques to be safe online. Sponsored by the National White Collar Crime Center and supported by the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance, two DVD-ROMs were produced to provide safety tips/guidelines for children when using the Internet and guard against computer viruses and predators. The first DVD-ROM outlines suggestions and best practices for children when online and include: (1) protecting passwords; (2) remembering people met online cannot always be trusted; (3) not sharing personal information online; (4) not opening e-mails from unknown senders and deleting e-mails from unknown senders; (5) always telling a parent or trusted adult if someone or something online makes the child feel uncomfortable; (6) never agreeing to meet someone the child has met online and telling a parent about it; and (7) never going to meet someone alone. The second DVD-ROM is for parents and provides helpful tips on how parents can protect their children; these include: (1) talking to children about the dangers of the Internet and making them feel comfortable about talking about it; (2) insisting they never provide personal information online; (3) making sure their screen name is different from their e-mail address and does not reference their first or last name; (4) instructing the child not to fill out profiles online; (5) keeping the computer in a common area and limiting time online; and (6) becoming Internet savvy and monitoring online activity.