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Online Resources for Internet
Safety and Your Youth
The Internet is an incredible tool that can allow
us to travel across the world in minutes, access information in a way that was
previously incomprehensible, communicate quickly, efficiently and inexpensively,
allow us to shop, find people, learn new things, and the list goes on and on...
What a wonderful tool! But, this wonderful tool comes with some risks and
many parents have already had some personal experience with just how dangerous
the Internet can be.
In today's technologically-based world, our
children and particularly our teens, are often more computer savvy than we are.
However, they are often naive to the risks that this powerful tool poses or they
feel those risks don't apply to them. They gain a false sense of security
by virtue of communicating from the supposed safety of their home or their
friend's home.
The news is filled with stories every day about
Internet predators, web scams, identity theft, adults posing as children and
stories that make us shiver as parents. But many ask, "what can we do?"
The Internet is so huge and these kids speak a language all there own!
Blogs, spamming, IM, P2P, emoticons, newbies, lurking, the list goes on.
Well, there are actually many steps that we can
take as parents and the first one is to educate ourselves. As with
anything new, the computer and the Internet can appear a bit menacing but if
you're reading this page, you're well on your way. By taking
responsibility for your children's online computer use, parents can greatly
minimize the potential risks of being online. Click on the links below and
begin to learn some of the ways that you can help your child learn safe, fun,
and effective computer use. Those skills can last a lifetime.
www.chatdanger.com
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A site all about the potential dangers on interactive services online like
chat, IM, online games, email and on mobiles.
www.childnet-int.org
www.getnetwise.org
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GetNetWise is a public service by Internet
industry corporations and public interest organizations to help ensure that
families have safe, constructive, and educational or entertaining online
experiences.
www.netfamilynews.org
www.netsmartz.org
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The NetSmartz Workshop is an interactive, educational
safety resource that teaches kids and teens how to stay safer on the Internet.
NetSmartz combines the newest technologies available and the most current
information to create high-impact educational activities that are well
received by even the most tech-savvy kids. Parents, guardians, educators, and
law enforcement also have access to additional resources for learning and
teaching about the dangers children may face online. NetSmartz was created by
the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children® (NCMEC) and
Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA).
www.safekids.com
www.safeteens.com
www.wiredsafety.org
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WiredSafety provides help, information and education to Internet and mobile
device users of all ages. We handle cases of cyberabuse ranging from identity
and credential theft, online fraud and cyberstalking, to hacking and malicious
code attacks.
www.BlogSafety.com
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