Internet Safety

Michigan State Police

Internet Safety - For Kids

Tips for Internet Safety:

  • Tell your parents immediately if you come across something that makes you feel uncomfortable.
  • Remember that people on the Internet may not be who they seem. Never give out identifying information such as your name, home address, school name or telephone number in a public message, such as in a chat room or on a bulletin board.
  • People who are dangerous may represent themselves online as a young boy or girl to entice you to a face-to-face meeting.
  • You should never arrange a face-to-face meeting without first asking a parent. If a parent agrees, you should meet in a public place with your parent accompanying you. Be careful when someone offers you something for nothing.
  • Be very careful about any offers that involve you coming to a meeting or have someone visit your home.
  • Always get to know your online friends just as you would get to know all of your friends.
  • Never send your picture without first asking a parent.
  • Never respond to messages or items that are suggestive, obscene, belligerent, threatening or make you feel uncomfortable.
  • Be sure that you are dealing with someone you and your parents know and trust before giving out any personal information about yourself.
  • Diligent parental supervision will help ensure your safety on the Internet.

source: https://www.michigan.gov/msp/0,4643,7-123-1878_1711-32545--,00.html

Internet Safety - For Parents

The Internet is a constantly growing educational resource for children and can be a positive experience.  Millions of children surf the Internet for school and entertainment every day.  Children also communicate through e-mails, chat rooms and public message boards.  Unsupervised, the Internet can be dangerous, exposing our children to predators and inappropriate material.

According to a survey conducted by the U.S. Department of Justice, one in five children receive unwanted sexual solicitations online and 70 percent of these unwanted solicitations happen on a home computer.  The survey also found that most families who have youth who use the Internet regularly do not use filtering or blocking software.

The Solution

Parents should educate their children to be cyber smart.  Prevention and awareness is the key to deter cyber predators and exposure to inappropriate material.  Children are trusting, naive and curious.  They must be supervised by parents who have a fundamental understanding of computer technology and the Internet.

souce: https://www.michigan.gov/msp/0,4643,7-123-1878_1711-10261--,00.html