Parents Must Manage Online Learning To Reduce HoCo Kids' Risk

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — As students spend more time online engaged in virtual classes and coursework, the FBI warns parents to keep close tabs on their kids and monitor their activity in order to keep them safe. Brian Bassett, spokesperson for the Howard County Public School System, told Patch that its students are educated about digital citizenship as part of their coursework, which focuses on the tenets of "be kind, be respectful and do the right thing." They learn specifically about building a positive digital footprint, but parents also must play a role in helping their kids stay safe.

"We provide parents with resources offered through Common Sense Media. They have also recently published an article with Cornavirus Support for parents that is helpful," said Bassett.

Sherry Llewellyn, spokesperson for the Howard County Police Department, said parents should set guidelines for their children as far as what they are allowed to view online and how long they can be on connected devices.

"Beyond that, parents should remind their kids to avoid risks: don’t talk to people they don’t know, don’t send identifying or personal information, don’t send inappropriate pictures. On social media sites, make sure privacy settings are set appropriately and review your child’s activity on these sites," Llewellyn told Patch. "Parents should also talk to their children about cyberbullying. Remind them not to join in and report it to an adult. If their child is being cyberbullied, he or she should not respond to those messages, block the bully or bullies if able, report it to the website on which it occurred if able, and tell their parents. If you discover your child is having inappropriate contact with an adult, contact police."

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The FBI also recommends that parents take the following measures to educate and prevent children from becoming a victim of predators and exploitation:

• Discuss internet safety with children of all ages when they engage in online activity.
• Review and approve games and apps before they are downloaded.
• Make sure privacy settings are set to the strictest level possible for online gaming systems and electronic devices.
• Monitor your children’s use of the internet; keep electronic devices in an open, common room of the house.
• Check your children’s profiles and what they post online.
• Explain to your children that images posted online will be permanently on the internet.
• Make sure children know that anyone who asks a child to engage in sexually explicit activity online should be reported to a parent, guardian or other trusted adult and law enforcement.
• Remember that victims should not be afraid to tell law enforcement if they are being sexually exploited. It is not a crime for a child to send sexually explicit images to someone if they are compelled or coerced to do so.

Visit here for more information from the FBI about protecting your kids.

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