Police: Chatting With Your Kids About Being Online

Today, it’s practically impossible to survive without the internet. It offers unlimited
opportunities for everything you can imagine.

For kids, it can be a dangerous place. OnGuard Online website offers several tips from the federal government to secure your computer on everything from internet fraud to child predators. The site suggests parents be aware of certain risks, when it comes to children spending time online:

Inappropriate conduct: The online world can feel anonymous and kids sometimes forget that they are still accountable for
their actions.  

Inappropriatecontact:  Some people online have bad intentions, including bullies, predators, hackers and scammers. 

Inappropriate content: You may be concerned that your kids could
find pornography, violence or hate speech online.

• What can you do? 

Start talking to your child at young age -  as soon as he or she starts using a computer, cell phone or any other communication device. Make sure to create an honest, open environment.  Your child is looking to their parents to help guide them.  Be supportive and initiate the conversations.

• Terms you should know:

Sexting: Sending or forwarding sexually explicit photos, videos or messages from a mobile device. 

Cyberbulling: Bullying or harassment that happens online. It can be in an email, text message, an online game or comments on a social networking site. 

Phishing: When scam artists send text, email or pop-up messages to get people to share their personal and/or financial information.

Texting – Any child with a cellphone can use it to send and receive text messages and images. 

P2P File Sharing – Kids share music, games or software online. Peer to peer
(P2P) file sharing allows people to share these kinds of files.

More information on this can be found at www.onguardonline.gov.

See Also:

Officer Larry Jacobs is the Crime Prevention Officer for the Sandy Springs Police Department.  He can be reached directly at ljacobs@sandyspringsga.gov.