Internet Safety Tips for Kids
The Internet is a common item today in our homes and schools. It brings a world of opportunity to the fingertips of our children. But with that opportunity comes potential danger of which we must be aware of and take precautions against.

Safety Tips

1. Keep the computer in a public place in your home where you can monitor on-line activity.

2. Establish ground rules for computer use. These rules should not only cover computer time in your house, but also in the home of others and at school.

3. Instruct your child:

• never arrange a face-to-face meeting with someone they met on-line.
• never upload (post) pictures of themselves onto the Internet to people they do not personally know.
• never giver out personal information on-line, such as their real name, address, and telephone number, school name, activities in which they participate or landmarks which may identify their geographic location 
• never download pictures from an unknown source.
• never respond to messages or bulletin board postings that are suggestive, obscene, belligerent or harassing.
• to know that whatever they are told on-line may or may not be true.

4. Consider installing a filtering program to lock out information, which is not age appropriate.

5. Keep the lines of communication open between you and your child. Educate and protect them.

If your child is confronted about a face-to face meeting with someone on-line or encounters any type of improper communication, contact the Mount Prospect Police Department immediately.

Some Helpful Web Sites For Parents:

Netsmartz.org

Enough.org

WiredKids.org

Websites operated by The Online Safety Project
http://www.safekids.com