Digital Safety Tips For All Ages Shared By MD State Police

PIKESVILLE, MD — Issues from cyberbullying, human trafficking and social networking to the risks associated with using digital devices and how to stay safe when browsing the internet are something Marylanders need to be aware of, state officials said Monday.

Investigators from the Maryland State Police Computer Crimes Unit will observe Safer Internet Day on Feb. 10 with advice on how everyone can exercise digital safety.

The worldwide initiative educates people about the risks associated with using digital devices and how to stay safe when browsing the internet on laptops, tablets, desktop computers and cell phones, according to a news release.

Children and senior citizens are often the target populations for online criminal activity. Parents are encouraged to monitor their children’s use of all digital devices and senior citizens are urged to use the internet with caution, especially when asked to furnish personal information.

Internet Safety Tips for Parents:

• Continuously monitor your child’s online activity
• Be aware of who your children are communicating with online
• Talk with your children about online content
• Remind children to avoid communication with strangers
• Maintain control of apps downloaded on your child’s device
• Be aware of what children see and hear and who they meet
• Know what information your child is sharing

Complaints involving the exploitation of children should be filed with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at www.cybertipline.org or 1-800-THE-LOST. Complaints of child exploitation may include harassment, cyberbullying, and child pornography.

Maryland State Police said its investigators in the Computer Crimes Unit work closely with NCMEC in the investigation of crimes involving child exploitation. If a child is believed to be in imminent danger, citizens are urged to contact their local police or call 9-1-1 immediately.

Internet Tips for Senior Citizens:

• use extreme caution when sharing personal information online
• avoid suspicious emails that ask for personal information
• avoid the release of personal information in an unsafe forum
• maintain adequate internet security
• avoid any requests for remote access to your computer

Crime schemes that use the internet to prey on the vulnerabilities of people of all ages continue to cost victims time and money, police said. Victims of internet-based crimes — such as hacking, credit card fraud, phishing, internet extortion and identity theft — are encouraged to file complaints with the Internet Crime Complaint Center online at www.IC3.gov.