What is the first and most basic steps in keeping your kids and even adult family members safe when surfing the internet?

Parents should learn Internet Basics:
        First and foremost parents must develop a relationship with their kids that promotes their maintaining control, while being understanding of what their kids want. Building a working, loving relationship can make the difference between a child or teen coming to them to tell them about what is coming across the screen, or not telling them. A parent must be vigilant.  A parent is what stands between the predators and the family.

           •  Internet Shorthand is what kids use to “text” each other.
           •  Computer put in a common area ... no bedrooms
           •  Computer & Internet access is a privilege not a right

Have family computer rules:

          •  Specific number of hours of use daily per person
          •  Kinds of website allowed
          •  Parents will be notified of bad emails right away

What should your kids do if they get an email that uses swear words, threats, obscene language or images?

          •  They should tell an adult immediately to come and see what's on the screen, or save it for when an adult can see it.

What should a parent do once they have been told by their kids what they found?

Report the email or website to www.obscenitycrimes.org .

What are the 12 steps to Internet Safety all about?.

1) Never specify gender

2) Use neutral-gender names

3) Change your password often

4) Edit your on-line profiles often

5) Review your Email headers and signatures often

6) Use secure chat programs that do not permit tracking of your ISP #

7) Use a good chat network

8) Use standard names, passive names to as to not draw attention to you

9) Use anonymous remailer

10) Use an anonymous browser

11) Use encryption to authenticate Email

12) Discuss privacy with your server

REMEMBER: LEARN YOUR TECHNOLOGY & PROTECT YOURSELF!

Go to www.safenetwork.org to print out the
12 Steps to Internet Safety

The Parenting Your kids Away from Abuse parent guide has 4 pages of the internet shorthand in it, along with many internet safety tips.
Call 800-643-3310.