Guideline for Parents & Educators

	Consider using filtering or monitoring software for your computer. Visit the "NetSmartz Resources" section to get information on filtering or blocking software.
	Look into safeguarding programs or options your online service provider might offer. These may include monitoring or filtering capabilities.
	Always read a web site's privacy policy before giving any personal information. Also make sure that a web site offers a secure connection before giving credit-card information.
	Websites for children are not permitted to request personal information without a parent's permission*. Talk to your children about what personal information is and why you should never give it to people online.
	If your child uses chat or E-mail, talk to him or her about never meeting an online "friend" face-to-face.
	Talk to your child about not responding to offensive or dangerous E-mail, chat, or other communications. Report any such communication to local law enforcement. Do not delete the offensive or dangerous E-mail, instead turn off the monitor, and contact local law enforcement.
	Keep the computer in the family room or another open area of your home.
	Get informed about computers and the Internet. Visit the Websites in the links section above to find additional information on Internet safety.
	Let your children show you what they can do online, and visit their favorite sites or chat rooms.
	Have your children use child-friendly search engines when completing homework.
	If you suspect online "stalking" or sexual exploitation of a child report it to your local law-enforcement agency. The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) has a system for identifying online predators and child pornographers and contributing to law-enforcement investigations. It's called the CyberTipline. Leads forwarded to the site are acknowledged and shared with the appropriate law-enforcement agency for investigation. You may also call NCMEC at 1-800-843-5678 to report such incidents.
	Know who your children are exchanging E-mail with, and only let them use chat areas that you have visited. NetSmartz recommends limiting chat room access to child-friendly chat sites, for children in this age group.
	Be aware of any other computers your child may be using (a friend's house, school, library, etc.).
	Internet accounts should be in the parent's name with parents having the primary screen name, controlling passwords, and using blocking and/or filtering devices.
	Children should not complete a profile for a service provider and children's screen names should be nondescript so as not to identify that the user is a child.
	*[The Commission on Online Child Protection passed the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), effective April 21, 2000. The privacy measures prevent websites from collecting information about children 13 and younger without a parent's verifiable permission. The law also requires website operators to block access by anyone 17 or younger to materials deemed "harmful to minors" by requesting all users to provide a credit card number or personal ID number.] For more information about the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, go to http://www.coppa.org
Adapted from Child Safety on the Information Highway by Lawrence J. Magid. Copyright © 1994 National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC). All rights reserved.