Youth Protection Online

Protecting your kids online
By Mike Sassman

The internet has taken out lives and propelled them to a whole new level. Now, children are setting up their own web sites with the help of companies like myspace.com and facebook.com. These sites are useful for social networking and for making new friends. However, predators also use these web sites to set up meetings and prey on children. Police regularly pose as 9, 11, and even 18 year-old boys and girls to catch these criminals. However, it is not enough. You, as the author of the site, or the parent, need to stay vigilant when it comes to online safety. Here are a few tips to get started.

Parents
1. Limit your kids time online. Monitor what your children are doing when they are using the computer
2. Ask what your children’s screen names are. Have them show you their sites.
3. Install monitoring software on your computer

If you have a web site
1. Never put your address or phone number on any web site.
2. If anyone chats or emails you and you do not know them (personally), do not reveal personal details like where you go to school, what kind of car you have, address, or phone number.
3. Do not post pictures that could lead a predator to your house, school, or work.