Internet Safety Tips for Parents, Teens, and Families
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The Internet is worldwide and unregulated. As of June 2006, there were over 1 billion people using the Internet. (Source: Internetworldstats.com)
Would you ever let your children drive an automobile without first getting them driver's training? Of course not! The same applies to using the Internet safely. The following information will assist parents, students, teens, and families on how to use the Internet safely.
Website- surfing tips
- Always know and correctly type the website address you are entering. Don't guess. Internet porn companies buy thousands of misspelled URL's (web addresses) hoping you will make a mistake. They know Internet pornography is highly addictive.
- Keep the computer in an open area and sign up to Covenant Eyes accountability software. Our program teaches responsible use of the Internet by promoting Internet integrity through self-control, self-discipline, and personal responsibility.
- Be a part of your children's online experience. Explore the Internet as a family. Use this as a time to teach them Internet Safety and Integrity.
- Explain to your children that not all websites are safe. There are predators and criminals using the Internet to scam people and steal personal information. Before buying anything online, tell your children that you need to be with them.
- *If pornographic pop-ups suddenly appear on your screen or you accidentally visit a porn site, instruct your family to do the following:
-Immediately press the 'Alt' key with the 'F4' key, which is at the top of the keyboard. This will immediately close out the pop up. If more come, continue to hold down the Alt key and press the F4 key.
-A second option is to immediately turn off the monitor and manually turn off your computer by holding the on / off button in for a few seconds. Encourage family members to communicate this information to you. Be sure to delete all 'cookies' and 'Temp Internet files' on a regular basis.
- If you receive 'Spam' email, do not click on links in the message unless you are certain of its credibility. These types of emails contain links to websites and in some cases are 'mini' websites. Use the Internet with 'purpose', not just to surf around and see what things look like. It is a powerful tool and needs to be used with great respect.
- Use anti-virus software like AVG (free for personal use), Trend Micro or Norton, which may be purchased at retail stores. Perform the 'auto update' regularly to keep it current. Consider using a 'firewall', spam blocking, and other helpful features.
- Regularly delete 'cookies' and 'temporary Internet files' from the Internet options icon in the control panel. This will help your computer to work faster and keep unwanted pieces of information from collecting on your computer. To do this click on "Start" then click on control panel, then double click 'Internet options'. Left-click 'delete cookies', left-click 'delete files'.
HANDLING EMAIL SAFELY
- DO NOT open unsolicited e-mail attachments- (Any email messages that have come from someone that you don't know.) Viruses, worms, and Trojan horses can be activated if you open an email attachment from someone that you don't know. Even if the 'sender's' name is familiar to you, unless you were expecting them to send you an attachment, DO NOT OPEN IT. (This is called 'Spoofing'.) (An attachment is an email with a 'paperclip' off to the left.)
- Delete Spam by holding down the 'shift key' and left click once on a message. Then, look at the messages and left click again up to, but not including a message you want to keep. All the messages in between will be highlighted. Keeping the shift key held down, press the 'DELETE' key on your keyboard. Another screen will appear asking you to permanently delete, which you click 'yes' to. This is quick and prevents you from opening unwanted Spam and seeing pictures or imbedded websites. ** Using the Covenant Eyes program you can open your email program and all pictures will not appear if you remain logged off of Covenant Eyes. You will only see text.
- Never respond to any Spam email requests directing you to go to a certain website and give your personal information or to log in, or to update something, NO MATTER HOW CREDIBLE OR valid they may appear. This is called 'phishing'. Criminals can duplicate your bank's logo, their website and sender name trying to lead you to a phony website to enter in personal information such as: Social Security #'s, passwords, bank account #'s. This is a place where identity theft happens. Don't be a victim, be informed.
- Understand that there are criminals and predators sending email to deceive and capture personal information from unsuspecting users. Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the USA and can be very damaging. Get informed and follow these guidelines.
ONLINE CHAT GUIDELINES
Chatting with people you don't know can be dangerous. It is best not to engage in any chat rooms. If you choose to engage in chatting, there are some important guidelines to follow.
- Don't open messages from people you don't know.
- Don't chat while angry. If you are ever threatened, be sure to tell your parents. Parents should contact the local law enforcement authorities.
- Always keep private information private. NEVER share your name, address, phone, city, state, school, or anything that could identify where you are and who you are.
- Never share any financial information.
- Refuse all requests for personal information, to keep relationships secret, or to meet anywhere.
- Report any suspicious or dangerous contact that makes you or your child feel uncomfortable.
MYSPACE.COM
Think of MySpace.com as a virtual city of people (55 million+) where you can showcase your personality and meet people with similar interests. Two years ago, MySpace didn't exist. Today it has more traffic than Amazon, Ebay, and Google and 25 percent of the users are under 18.
There are 55 million+ people and growing, using this site. IF your child or teenager has created their own web-page with personal information, photos, sometimes phone numbers and the school they attend, they are putting themselves at GREAT RISK to predators who are also logging on. (Taken from ABC7 news item, February 2006.) NEVER POST ANY PERSONAL INFORMATION OF ANY KIND INCLUDING PICTURES AND CITY OR SCHOOL NAME ON ANY WEBSITE ON MYSPACE.
MySpace.com has many legitimate uses. Many youth pastors even use it as a means of developing a youth group website, but it must be used with extreme caution. An ABC7 news item authored by Kathleen Matthews reports: "Police are now investigating several murders around the country involving liaisons through MySpace... And in Middletown Connecticut, police believe 7 girls as young as 11 have been sexually assaulted by men they met on MySpace, not realizing the potential danger."
The Covenant Eyes program is effective at monitoring and scoring individual sites on sites like MySpace.com, google images and even the adult sections of sites like Ebay or Amazon.com. We realized there could be no genuine accountability without accurately monitoring such sites.
Children using this site unmonitored can unwittingly give information, which leads to their identity, opening them up to predators.
Covenant Eyes recommends that close accountability be maintained on usage of this site, and that any profiles created be restricted in access that only 'friends' can access the page or communicate. Finally, there should be a general rule not to engage in communication with unknown people.
ABOUT COVENANT EYES
To receive FREE brochures and e-mail educational documents on the Covenant Eyes Internet Accountability and filtering program, please contact us at: www.covenanteyes.com or call: 877-479-1119 opt 3. Email: resources@covenanteyes.com.
*Some facts and information have been taken from the I-safe America Internet safety tips, a non-profit foundation funded by the US Gov't and the taxpayers of America.
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Last updated: 2006-08-16