CHILD SAFETY TIP

Jodie Lawton, University of Missouri-St. Louis

The Internet is available to more and more children.  Following are some general guidelines parents can teach children about Internet safety:

1. Don't give out personal information (Name, Address, Age, School, Birthday, Phone Number, etc.)

2. Choose a screen name that doesn't identify any personal information. Examples of bad screen names: saragirl15, tommyboy, girl-in-denver, babygirl12.

3. Don't share your password with anyone except your parents. Not even your best friend.

4. Do not respond to unwanted, mean, offensive or threatening e-mail, chat room dialogue, or instant messages.

5. Don't send pictures of yourself to someone you don't know.

6. NEVER agree to meet someone you met on the Internet.

7. Remember people online may or may NOT be who they say they are.

8. Promise to tell an adult if you ever feel uncomfortable while online.