Tips for parents from NetSmartz
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- Establish limits for which online sites children may visit and for how long.
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- Remember that Internet technology can be mobile, so make sure to monitor cell phones, gaming devices, and laptops.
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- Surf the Internet with your children and let them show you what they like to do online.
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- Know who is connecting with your children online and set rules for social networking, instant messaging, emailing, online gaming, and using webcams.
- Continually dialogue with your children about online safety.
Tips for Starting a Conversation from Netsmartz
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- What are your favorite things to do online?
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- What is personal information? Why should you keep it private?
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- What could you do to be safer online?
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- What would you do if anyone online asked to meet you face-to-face?
- Besides me, who do you feel that you can talk to if you are in a scary or uncomfortable situation?
More Tools
IRules, What Every Tech-Healthy Family Needs to Know about Selfies, Sexting, Gaming, and Growing Up by Janell Burley Hoffman
Janell Burley Hoffman’s digital contract for her own family
Janell Burley Hoffman’s interactive guide to help you create your own personalized digital contract for your family
Netsmartz Parents Guide with videos and articles on issues from cyberbullying to solicitation
Another directory of articles and videos on all kind of topics related to media from Common Sense Media
A booklet full of information on online safety from the Utah chapter of Netsmartz.
Safer Kid guide for apps to watch out for
K9 Web Protection, one option for a free web filter that can be installed on devices
