Online Safety Tips

Cyber bullying: How to prevent it in your children

1. Cyber bullying is a real risk. Know what it is and where it occurs. Tell your child that cyber bullies may appear friendly, but encourage them to watch out for anything that makes them uncomfortable, afraid, or sad.

2. Discuss it with your children. Discuss cyber bullying and the types of communications that are appropriate and inappropriate. Be sure that your child understands it is safe to come to you with any concerns.

3. Monitor all screen-time. Place your computer in the common area and keep an eye on it. If you want to let your kids use social media sites, you should have access to their accounts. A parental control program can also help you stay informed.

4. Limit screen time. Include everything online, from homework to games to surfing the internet. Set rules to limit social media and email access, as well as any texting or instant messaging. Tell your children that you will be regularly checking on them. As your child grows older and begins to use more technology, you may need to adjust the boundaries.

5. It’s not for nothing that they say it takes an entire village to raise a child. You are more likely to protect your child online if you have more people watching out for them. Enlist the help of your child’s friends, their parents, and other family members.

6. Prepare your response in advance. Don’t leave it until you are under pressure to make a decision. If your child is bullied on the internet, you should know how to respond so that your feelings are kept in check. This will help your child cope with their situation.

What to do if you believe your child is being bullied

• Be alert: Watch out for cyber bullying signs, such as increased time spent online, texting or hiding your screen.
• Ask your child questions. Gently inquire about what is happening and their feelings. Ask your child if the bullying has been addressed and how they responded.
• Recognize their feelings. Your child might feel scared, angry, upset, sad or betrayed, if they trust the bully. Tell them it is okay for them to be upset or angry.
• Unfriend the abusive person:Immediately unfriend (block) the offender. Site blockers, privacy settings and other tools can be used as additional layers of security.
• Alert the site and send an email to the administrators. Many social media platforms allow users to flag or report dangerous content. Report the abuse to law enforcement or school officials if necessary.
• Determine the extent of the emotional damage. If your child is displaying extreme emotions and you are unable to protect them, consult a professional.
• Get reinforcements.Consult other adults that can protect your child. (Other parents, teachers and school administrators. Coaches, coaches etc.). Encourage your child to make positive friends.

Bullying: What can you do if your child is the victim?

• Look at If your child creates new social media or email accounts, makes rude remarks online or hides their activity online without you knowing, it could be a way to pick on another person.
• Play:If your concern is a bit more serious, you can gently bring up the subject with your child. Then give them time to respond. Don’t be judgmental and keep an open mind. Most bullies also suffer from some form of emotional pain.
• Monitor:Double-up your efforts in tracking your child’s internet activity. Now is the perfect time to install parental control software if you haven’t already.
• Encouragement:Help your child understand the feelings behind their behavior and why they are doing it. Help them apologize to those they have hurt.
• Seek help. It can be difficult to determine why your child behaves in such a way. If the bullying is a problem at school or in the legal system, you should seek professional assistance.

What you can do to keep your children safe from cyber predators

1. Understanding the danger is key: Understand what predators online are, how they attack and where, as well as how to identify them. Tell them that it is not okay to contact strangers.

2. Discuss what online behavior is acceptable and not. Talk about how to identify signs of danger and ask for assistance.

3. Limit access to photo applications and digital cameras on all devices. Please make sure that your children cannot upload photos or download them without your consent.

4. Monitor your child’s online activities: Use a shared account for email, limit screen time and install parental controls like filters or apps.

5. Set time and rules for your children to avoid dangerous areas. Talk with them about chat rooms, social networks and the dangers they pose. Be sure to follow the age restriction for apps and websites.

6. Do not let down your guard: Even “safe” areas require constant vigilance. Predators may pretend to be children in kid-focused games and chat rooms.

What to do if you suspect your child is being targeted on the internet

• Tell your children that it is not their fault.
• Stop communication with your predator.
• You can change your online credentials including usernames, screen names and passwords.
• Keep screenshots and copies of the messages or images sent by predators.
• Inform the website administrator and police about any suspicious activity.
• As appropriate, seek professional assistance for your child.

Tips for children’s safety

• Do not share your personal details online.
• Do not respond to strangers’ emails, text messages, or other communications.
• Do not post photos or videos online.
• Do not click on links, download attachments or accept presents from people you do not know.
• You should never agree to meet anyone you have met on the internet.
• If you are in need of help, let your parents know or a trusted adult.

What to do when your child is exposed to inappropriate content online

1. Discuss with your children how they can navigate the web: how to use safe search terms and how to recognize a secure site (https) as well as when to seek an adult’s help.

2. Tell your children to be on the lookout for bad things. Discuss inappropriate websites and pop-up advertisements, as well as when it is okay to click.

3. Explain to children the importance of email security. Make sure they know that it is important to not click or open any attachments and to not respond to emails from strangers. Ask an adult to check before downloading anything.

4. Install firewalls and blockers of content: Make use of the safety apps that are already on your device and install more for extra protection. All websites not rated as safe for kids should be blocked. Content filtering or a firewall designed to shield children from dangerous content is the best way to do this.

5. Prepare yourself: Make sure you have a plan ready in the event that your child comes across graphic material online. You can help your child by knowing the appropriate responses.

What to do if you suspect your child is exposed to inappropriate material