Keeping kids safe when ‘surfing’
Summer vacation for kids can mean traveling, camping, boating and surfing. Everyone hears over and over about the importance of seat belts for traveling and life jackets for water sports, but how often do they hear about safety precautions for another type of surfing — surfing the internet. A lot more free time on their hands during the summer might find many youngsters and teens resorting to exploring the world on their computers. Sad to say, online predators are also surfing the internet for their next victim.
In a recent press release, Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge said, “Online predators look to take advantage of a child’s innocence by intimidating them or putting them into inappropriate situations, and that is why parents and adults must be vigilant in knowing what children are doing and who exactly they are talking to online to make sure they are safe.”
Parents and caregivers can lessen the likelihood of their child becoming a victim of an online predator by keeping the lines of communication between parent and child open, monitoring the child’s internet activity and providing direct instruction on internet safety. The following is a list of suggested guidelines for internet browsing for children and teens.
• Keep passwords, pictures and secrets to yourself.
• Never arrange a face-to-face meeting with someone you first met online.
• Do not post anything on the internet that you would not want others to see.
• People you meet online are not always who they say they are.
• You should not say anything online that you would not say in public.
• Do not respond to messages that are inappropriate or make you feel uncomfortable.
• Encourage your children to tell an adult if they encounter a problem online.
Never assume anything. Remember, if your child does come in contact with an online predator, the child is the victim. Talk to your child about sexual victimization and the potential for online dangers. Parents should use the parental control settings, maintain access to emails and online accounts, place the computer in a common room in the house — not in the child’s bedroom — and be aware of the computer safeguards anywhere your child might access a computer and internet such as school, the library or a friend’s house.
Another danger children face while connected with technology is cyber bullying. Cyber bullying is bullying that takes place using electronic technology. Electronic technology includes devices and equipment, such as cell phones, computers and tablets, as well as communication tools, including social media sites, text messages, chat and websites. Examples of cyber bullying include mean text messages or emails, rumors sent by email or posted on social networking sites, and embarrassing pictures, videos, websites or even fake profiles.
Instructing children and teens in the correct use of online resources, spending time with them on the internet and encouraging them to teach their parents what they know are great ways to enhance the likelihood of them talking to the parent if a problem arises.
The Arkansas Attorney General’s office recommends the following strategies if your child is facing cyber bullying:
• Never reply to anyone in anger.
• Stop, block and tell — do not reply, block the sender, tell someone.
• Save the message and show a trusted adult.
• Be a friend — if you know of someone who is being cyber bullied, let your parent know.
As kids continue to enjoy entertaining themselves with technology, they must be aware of the dangers lurking behind those screens. Give your kids tools for keeping themselves and their personal information safe from cyber thieves.