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The most important job of a parent is to keep your child safe. However, the creation of the Internet threatens your child’s safety, even in your own home. Here, we provide information for your family to begin safe use of the internet.
Be Informed Learn facts about the internet. Take time to “surf the net” or see what is available on websites, chat rooms, and bulletin boards. Understand that the internet can be unreliable. Make sure your child knows that not everything on the internet is true. What website do you like best? How did you find it? The Facts Approximately 1 in 5 children received a sexual solicitation or approach over the internet in 2001. 1 in 33 received an aggressive sexual solicitation (a solicitor asked to meet them; spoke to the on the phone; or sent them regular mail, money, or gifts.) source: 2001 Report, Research on Rape and Violence, Pittsburgh Action Against Rape (PAAR) Take Action If your child receives sexual or harassing emails, report them to your Internet Service Provider (ISP). Send a copy of the email, along with the header, and a description of the event. Child pornography, abuse, sexual harassment, and stalking through the Internet are ILLEGAL and need to be REPORTED to the police. The web is an excellent disguise. Anyone can be anything they want online. Anyone you do not know in person is a stranger on the internet. “Parents need to understand the internet is not a TV. It is a
telephone. NO one in their right mind would accept a call from a stranger
saying, “Hello, I don’t know you but put your child on so I can talk to
her for a couple of hours.” There is Help! Seek out blocking, monitoring, or filtering software or parental controls supplied by your Internet provider.
Understand that software is not fool-proof. Find out which one is best for your family’s use of the Internet. Teach Your Child to NEVER · Make plans to meet with anyone he/she met online without permission or supervision. · Give out private information about themselves such as name, phone, number, address, pictures, and school. Any information that others can use to track your location is private. · Answer sexual or harassing emails, chat room discussions, or bulletin board postings. INTERNET RULES Post these rules next to your computer and go over the rules with the entire family. Review the rules often to make sure your child understands and uses them. I will not download anything without first asking an adult. I will not order anything or give out private information without first asking an adult. I will tell my parents if I get an email message or enter a website that makes me feel upset or uncomfortable. Information provided by Pittsburgh Action Against Rape (PAAR), Shaping a Safer World. www.PAAR.net PLEASE BE SURE TO VISIT
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