Important Fact: The Internet is not private and whatever you post on the Internet will be there forever.
Do not give out personal identifying info such as name, age, address, telephone number, school name.
Do not give out personal identifying info of parents or friends.
Protect your computer password(s). Do not give them out to friends.
Use strong passwords that include numbers and characters.
Tell your parents right away if you get into a “sticky” situation, or when something just doesn’t feel right.
Remember people on the Internet aren’t always who they say they are, they aren’t always telling the truth.
Don’t friend someone online that you don’t know offline! Make sure that you know everyone on your “buddy/friend” list.
Be wary of someone asking for personal information.
Don’t use sexually suggestive screen names.
Don’t go into “chat rooms” with people you don’t know.
Don’t ever meet anyone in person that you met online without talking to your parents.
Recheck your information from the Internet, is it true?
Don’t post on line any picture or comment that you don’t want the world to see forever. If you think it might be inappropriate, don’t post it. What you post today can affect your future, like admission to college and later a job.
Don’t post or send naked pictures of yourself online to “a friend.” This is sexting and it’s illegal!
Ask yourself if your parents would approve of what your doing online, and what your posting?
Don’t post anything anonymously that you can’t say to someone’s face!
Don’t post anything hurtful online. This is cyberbullying!
Don’t spread rumors, or make fun of someone online. This is cyberbullying!
If someone cyberbullies you on the Internet, get some help from an adult, because this may be more than you can handle on your own.
If you have been cyberbullied online, save a video, or screenshot of the incident to show your parents, to avoid the “he said, she said” problem. However, don’t comment back and don’t forward it on.
If your feeling very emotional and reactive stay off the computer till you’ve calmed down.
Be considerate and respectful on line. Remember there is a real person reading your messages.
Don’t swear on line.
Check to see what your friends are posting online about you. If it’s not acceptable ask them to delete it. Remember what your friends post, can go to their friends, and then their friends…
Do not download or install software before checking with your parents.
Don’t order anything online even if it’s free without checking with parents.
When you’re supposed to be doing homework, don’t IM, go on Facebook or play games. Get your work done, do a good job and then chat with friends or play games. Multitasking is a myth. For every task that you add, your performance gets worse!
Don’t go on the computer when you should be sleeping. You need sleep to learn and stay healthy!
Don’t stay on the computer for hours. Do other things too… Remember there is a whole world out there for you to explore!
Have a healthy well balanced life.
Do your best to follow these rules because it’s your responsibility to learn how to use the computer and Internet safely, responsibly and appropriately.
ScreenRetriever provides complete visibility into everything happening on a child’s computer without sacrificing the trust between them and their parents.
Lori GetzInternet Safety Specialist & Founder of CyberEducation Consultants
