Information for Adults to Share with Children and Teens about Internet Safety

By Patrick McGuire                                                            Consultant to the VIRTUS® Programs

Going online can be like walking a tight rope; it’s probably best if you don’t get too distracted. Have you ever wondered what might happen right before you double click your web browser? The world holds many things wondrous, but it also harbors many dangers, and the Internet can bring the world to your fingertips, but just like the real world, it also brings some of the same wonders and dangers. And on the World Wide Web especially, those dangers can be very, VERY well disguised Think of it as if you and your family were traveling in a foreign country; you need to do your part to keep them and yourself safe from harm. Have fun, enjoy the sights, but be careful as you go about your business. With that in mind, here is some basic information to share with young people about how to stay safe while using the Internet:

• Never give out personal information to anyone online (like your name, physical address or location, phone number, school name or mascot, where you hang out, or the names of your friends).
• Don't put personal information like names and birthdates in a screen name.
• Never arrange a face-to-face meeting with someone you meet online.
• Always let a parent or caring adult know if someone online asks you to meet with them.
• Never go into chat rooms unless parents or caring adults approve.
• Never open emails from people you don’t know.
• Always keep your passwords secret.
• Never send pictures of yourself to someone without your parent's approval.
• Never post pictures of yourself online (even on social networking sites).
• Never go to links you don’t recognize.
• Always let your parent know if someone offers you a gift.
• Always tell an adult if you see anything or get a message that is hostile, threatening, suggestive, obscene, or makes you feel uncomfortable.
• Don't believe everything you read on-line. Something that seems "too good to be true" probably is and people aren't always who or what they claim to be.
• Understand that your parents and other caring adults want to protect you—even if that means "invading your privacy."

The Internet is one of the most useful and powerful tools ever invented by man. And like most powerful tools, it would be most helpful if it came with instructions and a user’s guide. The instructions are pretty straight-forward, but the user’s guide would definitely include some precautions because, like many other tools, the Internet is neither good nor bad, but it can be used by both good and bad people. So, consider this a brief user’s guide for using the Internet safely.

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