Internet Safety

With over 45% of children in the United States, more than 30 million young children and teens, accessing the Internet today, it is important to think about the topic of Internet safety. The key is to teach children how to make smart choices when using this valuable resource. Schools, parents, law enforcement, and communities must work together to help promote the safety of children online.

A 2003 i-SAFE America study shows that nearly 11% of kids and teens have met someone “face-to-face” who they “met” online.

Considering that more than 50 million youth in the United States use the Internet and countless online predators lurk in cyberspace waiting for unsuspecting victims, millions of American kids and teens are at risk of abduction or worse.

The solution is not to remove the Internet from your home! Talk to your children about dangers on the Internet and empower your children to make wise decisions online. Educate yourself about what’s out there.

INTERNET SAFETY - PARENT RESOURCES

i-SAFE America Foundation http://www.isafe.org
Resources for teachers, students and parents

NetSmartz http://www.netsmartz.org
Created by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children® (NCMEC) and Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA)
Interactive safety resource that teaches kids and teens how to stay safe on the Internet

Web Wise Kids http://www.webwisekids.org
Computer simulation and board game for children to learn about Internet danger (game available to schools and families)

National Crime Prevention Council http://www.ncpc.org
McGruff the Crime Dog “Take a Bite out of Crime”
Addresses issues of drinking, drugs, guns, conflict, and bullies through a series for comic strips

HDOP – Held Delete Online Predators http://www.missingkids.com/adcouncil
True stories, online lingo, Internet safety quiz for adults and children

ICAC – Internet Crimes Against Children http://www.sckidsonline.com
Offers a parent’s guide to children’s online safety

Internet Crimes Against Children http://www.sckidsonline.com

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children http://www.missingkids.com/adcouncil

ESSENTIAL APPLICATIONS FOR INTERNET SECURITY AT HOME

Ad-Aware http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware
D esigned to provide advanced protection from known data-mining, aggressive advertising, Parasites, Scumware, selected traditional Trojans, Dialers, Malware, Browser hijackers, and tracking components.

Well-known security programs:
Antivirus and Firewall
Norton Internet Security
Zone Alarm Internet Security Suite
Kaspersky Internet Security
McAffe Antivirus

SOFTWARE FOR PARENTAL CONTROL, FILTERING AND TRACKING

Parental Control Software
Listed below are four popular and well rated parental control programs. Keep in mind that these programs do not act as a firewall for your computer, with the exception of Zone Alarm.

CYBERsitter (PC Magazine’s editors choice 4 years in a row)
http://www.cybersitter.com/cybinfo.htm

Cyber Patrol
http://www.cyberpatrol.com/

Net Nanny
http://www.netnanny.com/

REMEMBER

Always monitor your child's online use. It's best not to "surf" the Internet but to have specific sites to go to when online.

Always check YES to the Live Updates for your security/anti-virus applications. This is the only way to keep current and ensure security.

Always take care when entering personal information online. Check to see that you are on a secure site. Beware of all requests for personal information online. Avoid entering your social security number online.

Monitor your credit report regularly.