Internet Safety For Kids
Never Share Personal Information Online
There is no way of knowing who is on the other side of the conversation. In fact it is best to refrain from sharing any personal information on the internet at all, even if you know the person.
Don’t Respond to Strangers
Never respond to emails, texts, or messages for strangers. Oftentimes they will send links, attachments, or faulty gift cards to use as a mechanism to retrieve your family’s personal information.
Never Agree to Meet Someone You Met Online
This one seems obvious, but adults posing as teens or children can be very manipulative and convincing. Children’s and teens’ frontal lobe has not fully developed yet, which affects their decision-making. If you are adamant about meeting an internet friend, please have an adult present from both parties when meeting.
Report Cyberbullying
If you see someone actively cyberbullying someone else, report their account. And if you know them in real life, tell a parent and an adult you trust at school. It is likely that the bullying extends past the internet and is present in real life as well.
Download an Anti-Virus Software
With the help of an adult, install trusted anti-virus software on your computer. This will help protect your computer from hackers and clean up anything that might already be there. Your computer will also run faster.
