Slide 1: Back to School, Back on the Internet – Back to Basics: A Guide to Protecting You and Your Children Online As children go back to school, many parents are concerned about how their children will be using the computer and Internet devices in the classroom. Communication is key. Parents need to talk with their children about how to use the Internet safely, potential threats and appropriate usage of the Internet. By understanding both the benefits and the risks of Internet use, families can have a safer and more secure online experience.
Slide 2: Cyberbullying • Cyberbullying or online bullying is repeated, unwanted or cruel behavior against someone through computers, cell phones, gaming consoles, or other Internet-based means • Nearly 1 in 6 U.S. children grades 6 to 10 (that’s 3.2 million students) is a victim of online bullying each year
Slide 3: Warning Signs Your Child May be a Victim of a Cyberbully • • • • Depression Lack of interest in school and friends Drop in grades Subtle comments that something may be wrong
Slide 4: What Does a Cyberbully Do? • Deliberately shut someone out of an online group like an instant messaging (IM) buddy list • Send hurtful or threatening messages to a victim’s cell phone, harass a person in an online game, or post embarrassing pictures on a social networking site • Disclose secrets or private information • Impersonate the victim and post hateful comments, or belittle the victim’s friends on a blog. • Pretend to befriend a victim, gain his trust, and then turn on him.
Slide 5: If Your Child is a Victim of Cyberbullying, Take Action • Filter your child’s email, instant messages and text messages. • Make sure your child avoids the sites and groups where the attacks occur. • If harassment continues, change your child’s email address, user names and Internet account. • Encourage your kids and their friends to look out for each other.
Slide 6: If Cyberbullying Continues: • Contact the parents of the child who is behind the bullying, • Contact the school, • If the situation is not resolved, involve the police. • It’s important to compile copies of harassing emails and postings to have evidence for authorities or the school, so they can take action.
Slide 7: Internet Safety If your children use the Internet at home you know how important it is to protect them from inappropriate content or contact.
Slide 8: Communication is Key • Talk to your kids about the potential dangers they may encounter online. • Talk to them about problems that can arise from downloading content from unknown sources, visiting unsafe websites and communicating with people they don’t know.
Slide 9: Set a “Family Code of Conduct” • Set clear guidelines for your family, make sure each child knows what they should and should not be doing online. • You can create a different contract for each child with Internet rules set appropriately for your child’s age.
Slide 10: Know What Your Kids Are Doing Online • Put the computer in a common area of the house so you can monitor your kids • Using communications such as chat rooms, social networking and IM can expose children to unwanted online relationships that children may not be equipped to deal with. Talk to you kids about online predators and possible dangers.
Slide 11: Technology Can Help • Check into web filtering tools, • Use family safety settings if offered by your operating system, gaming device and other connected devices, • Install your Internet pop-up blocker.
Slide 12: Privacy It is essential today to teach children that they should never share personal information about themselves or their family online without parents permission, and never with anybody they don’t know and trust in the real world.
Slide 13: Social Networking Social networking websites, like Facebook and MySpace, are popular places on the Internet today and offer many benefits. However, you should talk to your children about how much information they post online and how it can impact their reputation and their future.
Slide 14: Satellite Mapping Programs • Websites such as Google now have map programs that contain aerial views of our streets and our houses. • If you are concerned about your home appearing on these sites – like Google Streets – you can contact the company and ask to be removed.
Slide 15: Security Online scams are prevalent in today’s world – everything from identity theft to spam to spyware and phishing. Fraud can occur in the online and offline world but here a few tips on how to avoid online scams.
Slide 16: Avoiding Online Scams 1) If you receive an email from a unknown source, requesting personal information such as your social security #, bank account #, or even address, do not respond. • Your bank, credit card company, or others would not send emails asking you to verify personal information. • When in doubt, contact the companies using a known phone number to ask if it’s legitimate.
Slide 17: Avoiding Online Scams 2) Don’t open email attachments from anyone you don’t know, these may expose your computer to viruses. When in doubt – DELETE. 3) Install a spam filter on your computer to block unwanted emails.
Slide 18: Avoiding Online Scams 4) Use anti-virus software 5) Make sure your firewall is activated 6) Use passwords to protect information and change them regularly 7) Set your operating system and antivirus software to download automatic security updates
Slide 19: Citizen Action Here are some basic actions you can take to make sure your family is protected online.
Slide 20: Report Suspect Emails If you suspect you have received a fraudulent phishing email, please forward it to phishing-report@uscert.gov.
Slide 21: Follow Government Actions • Keep track of legislation in Congress that will help protect your family online and punish cyber criminals. • Urge your Congressmen and women to vote in favor of such legislation. You can find your representatives here: www.house.gov and www.senate.gov.
Slide 22: Hold Your Internet Provider Accountable Be sure to call your Internet provider to make sure they are doing everything they can to ensure your privacy and to keep you safe.
Slide 23: Online Resources • http://www.staysafeonline.info/ - This site contains The Top 8 Cyber Security Practices. These should be practiced by all users. • http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/tips/ - The U.S. Computer Emergency Readiness Team offers general tips that are always useful to all degrees of users • http://www.staysafe.org/ - This site contains the top problems and solutions to maintaining a safe environment online. • http://www.techleadership.org/ - Americans for Technology Leadership offers resources to all users.