Sheriff Department

Internet Safety for Kids

DO spend more time with real life friends than virtual friends
DO tell an adult if someone online harasses you or wants to talk about sex
DO cut off contact with anyone who pressures you for your personal information (name, age, size, photo, address, family information)
DO be careful of strangers who try to turn you against your family while promising to be your best friend (they may send you gifts and give you lots of compliments, but at the same time, they are possessive of your time and critical of your parents.)
Do NOT exchange pictures with strangers through the Internet
Do NOT open e-mails/instant messages or download attachments from people you don’t know
Do NOT fill out your information to win free stuff
Do NOT go to meet someone you don’t already know in real life

Do speak with your child about their Internet habits and your safety concerns
Do set a limit for how much time your child can spend online
Do keep the computer in a public place
Do install safety software and monitoring software and keep it updated
Do NOT overreact or threaten to take away the Internet if your child tells you about something bad that they experienced online
Do encourage your child to teach you what they know about the Internet
Do NOT allow your child to have an online profile
Do NOT hesitate to get help if you think a predator may be targeting your child
Do get to know your child’s online friends as you would their real-life friends