Safety Stars

“Parents shall be responsible for ensuring that their children adhere to the PWCS Acceptable Use Policy and regulation and use PWCS computer systems and network services for curriculum related assignments.”

AUP Reg. 295-1 P.4

In this ever changing world parents need to know how to keep their children safe.  The Internet provides many amazing experiences and benefits but it can be a dangerous place for children that are not taught how to use the Internet responsibly and are monitored carefully by an adult.  Children can come across inappropriate images and content, face cyber bullies or sexual predators.  This blog provides resources and tips to help you keep your child safe on the Internet.

Tips 

•  Let your child know that you expect them to use the computer responsibly
• Communicate with your child about what they are doing on the Internet
• Be sure that your child knows that your goal is to keep them safe and that they can always come to you if they have a problem
• Monitor your child while they are on the computer, keep the computer in a common room
• Limit the amount of time your child uses the Internet and other communication devices
  • Create a seperate account for your child on your computer and protect it with a password… that only you know!
  • Make sure that your child isn’t going to a friend’s house in order to use the computer unsupervised
  • Charging your child’s cell phone in your bedroom at night will ensure that the child isn’t making any late calls!

Warning Signs

Look out for these signs that your child is having trouble on the Internet:

• The child turns off or quickly minimizes the screen when you come into the room
• The child once enjoyed spending time on the computer but now stays away from it
• When you check the Internet History it has been cleared by your child
• The child is recieving mail or calls from people that you do not know

Instant Messaging Acronyms to Know

 Internet Safety Videos

These videos can provide you with more information about keeping kids safe online:

http://www.ikeepsafe.org/PRC/videotutorials/index.php

Please feel free to post questions or advice!