TIPS for Teachers, Parents, and Students

Tips for Teachers:
I. Have some rules about time and place. Set limits on the amount of time your kids spend online.
II. Help kids think critically about what they find online.
III. If they wouldn’t do it in real life, they shouldn’t do it online. Remind them: Don’t say mean things, and don’t cheat.

Tips For Parents:
I. Content blockers and filters are great tools that allow you more control over where they go and what they do online.
II. Consider tracking software that enables you to see which sites your children have visited, tracking their path online.
III. Even if you use content blockers, filters, and trackers, know that a lot of kids figure out ways to get around these so it's important to remain involved and always monitor

Tips for Students:
I. Never download images from an unknown source-they could be sexually explicit
II. Tell an adult immediately is anything happens online that makes them feel uncomfortable or frightened
III. Never reveal personal information to anyone online

 CYBER Predators
Sexual predators do exist. They target both boys and girls of all ages and use the anonymity of the Internet to their advantage since they can be whomever they want. Many have skills that can block any child's sense of awareness. They look for children that are emotionally vulnerable which can be related to personal issues derived from problems at school or home. They use these issues to befriend the victim and connect with them while building a friendship and trust. If a child indicates frustration with parents or teachers at school the predator might suggest the child's parents are way too strict or their teacher is being unfair and this plays right into the adolescent mind as they look for people to verify their feelings.                    

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Related Links/ Resources:

ChildNet
Cyberbully Research Center
Puresight/ Online Child Safety