A few more tips to prevent cyber crime

I shared an article with you last week on Cyber-Crimes.  Today I am sharing a set of “My Rules for On-line Safety” that I encourage you to share with your children.  You may want to make it a Parent - Child Contract.  (1) I will not give out personal information such as my address, telephone number, parents’ work address/telephone number, or the name and location of my school without my parents’ permission.  (2) I will tell my parents right away if I come across any information that makes me feel uncomfortable.  (3) I will never agree to get together with someone I “meet” on-line without first checking with my parents.  If my parents agree to the meeting, I will be sure that it is in a public place and bring my mother or father or another trusted adult family member to the meeting.  (4) I will never send a person my picture or anything else about me without first checking with my parents.  (5) I will not respond to any messages that are mean or in any way make me feel uncomfortable.  It is not my fault if I get a message like that.  If I do, I will tell my parents right away so they can contact the on-line service.  (6) I will talk to my parents so that we can set up rules for going on-line.  We will decide upon the time of day that I can be on-line, the length of time I can be on-line and appropriate areas for me to visit.  I will not access other areas or break these rules without my parents’ permission.  Parents I want to encourage you to put a plan of action like these rules or something similar with your children.  Set your ground rules and stand by them.  Protect your children.  We are here to help.  Please call if you need us.