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Safe Surfing
The Internet has many good and interesting things but also contains information, which may be wrong, out of date, or might upset some people. Listed below are guidelines boys and girls can use to be safe on the Internet. There are also suggestions parents and caregivers may want to use when they set rules for children using the Internet. When you use the Internet at the Library's public access workstations it means you take responsibility to evaluate the information you find and to read and accept the APL Internet Policy.
Guidelines
Boys and Girls - be safe when you go online. Use these guidelines to talk to your parents about the Internet.
- Talk with your parents or a responsible adult about the rules for going online. When Internet service is used at a location other than your home, ask and follow the guidelines developed by the agency for Internet use.
- Ask permission from a parent before giving out personal identifying information about yourself such as your address, telephone number, parent's work address/telephone number, or the name and location of your school.
- Tell your parents or a responsible adult immediately if you come across any information that makes you feel uncomfortable or that you don't understand.
- Never arrange to get together with Internet buddies that you "meet" online without first checking with your parents. If your parents agree to the meeting, be sure that it is a place that many people visit and bring your mother or father along.
- Never send a picture or anything else to online "friends" without first checking with your parents. Use a nickname that is different from your real name when a password is needed to enter an Internet site.
- Do not respond to any messages that are mean or that in any way make you feel uncomfortable. If you do receive such a message, tell your parents or a responsible adult right away.
- Do not do anything on the Internet that will cost your family money unless your parents are there to help you do it. Never go to a new on-line area that will cost extra money without asking your parents’ permission.
- Do not give out a credit card number online without a parent present.
- Do not give out your Internet password to anyone (even your best friends) other than your parents.
- Be a good online user and do not do anything that hurts other people.
Parents - here is a guide for talking to your child about Internet safety and setting guidelines for Internet Use
- Make computer use a family activity. Share the online experience with your child. Spending time online with your child allows you to learn the Internet and teach Internet manners and conduct. Provide guidance and assume responsibility for your child's use of an online computer. Guidelines for going online should include, the time of day, how long your child can be online and appropriate areas to visit when using the Internet.
- Get to know your child's online friends as well as their other friends. It's reasonable to ask "where" your child is hanging out online and "whom" he or she is hanging out with online. Learn your child's favorites sites and talk about them. If they offend you, talk with your child and explain why you believe the material is wrong and the harm it may cause.
- The best way to ensure a child's safety online is to be with them and monitor their use of the internet. That is not always possible. Just as we must teach children rules about dealing with strangers outside the home, you must provide rules for being online. Talk to your child about online safety and the rules you set. Discuss the Internet in relation to family values.
- Supervise older as well as younger children who use the Internet at home and at the library.
- Do not use the computer as an electronic babysitter. Keep the computer in a high traffic area of your home where it is visible. Children who are left unsupervised can be exposed to information or images that is inappropriate or disturbing.
- Encourage your child to use sites recommended on your library's youth home page. Teach them to be good Internet consumers by considering the source, date, and accuracy of the information. Teach children that not everything you see or hear online is true. Some sites may contain inaccurate information
- Do not overreact if your child tells you about a problem he or she is having on the Internet. Instead, work together to solve the problem and prevent it from happening again.
- If your child asks to have a face-to-face meeting with an online friend, decide if the meeting should occur. If you agree to the meeting, make the first one in a public spot and accompany your child.
- Some sites may try to sell them something. Encourage your children to talk to you before they purchase anything online.
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Internet Safety Sites
…for further ideas and information try these internet sites
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