Cyber Safety

11 TIPS TO KEEP KIDS SAFE WHILE THEY'RE SURFING THE INTERNET

1) Keep your computer area clear of clutter--Never eat or drink near your computer: a spill can cause a lot of damage to your mouse or keyboard. Also, you should never keep magnets or devices with magnets like unshielded speakers near your PC. They will mess up your monitor, diskettes, and maybe even your hard drive.
2) Have an adult nearby--Make sure that your parents, a teacher, or another trusted adult are close by so you can ask them questions or ask for help when you need it.
3) Use a nickname--NEVER tell your real name to anyone on the Internet. Make up a special cyberspace nickname: be creative!
4) Don't share personal information--Never share personal information without permission from a parent. Don't tell anyone your age, your address, your phone number or where you go to school. Your passwords for websites and email are also secret. Never tell your passwords to anyone, not even your best friend.
5) Don't send pictures--Don't send a digital picture of yourself to anyone on the Internet. Tell your parents or teacher if someone wants to send a picture to you.
6) Check before you download--Downloaded files or programs can sometimes contain viruses or other things than can harm your computer. Check with an adult before you download anything.
7) Always be politeDon't be cruel to your CyberFriends--Never use bad words or say mean things. Don't tell rumors or lies about other people. If someone sends you nasty messages, tell your parents or teachers. It's best to avoid chain letters and leave conversations when people are being rude.
8) Don't buy or accept gifts--Never buy a toy, a game, a book or anything else without your parent's approval. Don't enter a contest or join a club without permission. Never let anyone send you a free prize or gift.
9) Don't meet or call--If someone asks to meet you in person, say NO and tell your parents or teacher right away. The person you are chatting with may not be telling the truth; you could be talking to an adult who is pretending to be a kid.
10) Tell an adult right away--If you see anything on your computer - such as a message or a picture - that makes you feel bad or uncomfortable, tell your parent or teacher right away.
11) If you're not sure, ask!--You never know what you are going to run into on the Internet. If you are not sure how to deal with a certain situation, it's best to ask an adult.