Internet Safety/Tips for Parents

The following is based on information provided by the State of Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection’s Computer Crimes and Electronic Evidence Laboratory.

SAFETY TIPS WHEN USING THE INTERNET

Keep information private. Some examples of private information are:

Your full name
Your address
Your telephone number
Your Social Security number
Your mother’s maiden name (often used as a password)
Credit card numbers

Also, does your screen name reveal too much information about you? If you have a profile, what does it say about you? What information do you post on your home page or Website? Be careful not to disclose personal information in these places.

Using email:

Don’t respond to unsolicited email (SPAM). Responding shows the sender your address is valid.
Forward offensive email to your Internet service provider (ISP). If you think it may be evidence of a crime, print it out (don’t delete it) and contact your ISP for information on what to do next.
It is not safe to click on any links in an email unless it is something that you just requested (i.e. a password reset). Don’t follow links to Web sites sent to you even if it is from someone you know.
Do not open any attachments from email unless you have requested that specific file from the person that sent it. Many attachments contain malware and viruses that will be installed on your device just by opening the file.
Don’t respond to offers that sound too good to be true or to messaging that require you to hurry up and do something. These are usually scams.

World Wide Web Shopping:

Use a credit card that you keep only for Web shopping.
Check your billing statements for unauthorized charges.
Keep a low credit limit on the card.
Don’t use a check card/ATM card/debit card
Don’t pay with cash or a bank check/postal money order unless you use a trusted escrow agent.

Chat Rooms:

Be cautious; many people who use chat rooms do not tell the truth about who they really are. Some are there to entice/abuse minors.

Internet Safety Tips for Parents

Protecting your children from people who might abuse or exploit them starts with paying attention to your child’s use of the internet.

Know when your child is online, what websites he/she is viewing, and who he/she is contacting online.
Take time to talk with your child, about what is okay to view on the internet, and what is off-limits.
Set rules for your child’s use of the computer and the internet, and make sure your child understands the rules and is following them.

For more information about keeping your child safe online, see these websites:

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children CyberTipline: http://www.missingkids.com/home
Connect Safely: https://connectsafely.org/
FBI: Safety on the Internet: https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/scams-and-safety/on-the-internet
FTC: Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) http://www.ftc.gov/privacy/privacyinitiatives/childrens.html

Reporting Suspicious Activity
If you or your child become aware of dangerous or illegal activities, such as the transmission of child pornography, online enticement, potential sexual exploitation, or any attempt to make inappropriate contact with your child or any minor, report it to your local police, or the State of Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection’s Computer Crimes and Electronic Evidence Laboratory 203-639-6400 for Connecticut residents, or to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678).

TO FIND PROVIDERS IN CONNECTICUT’S COMMUNITY RESOURCES DATABASE:
Search by program name: Computer Fraud/Child Exploitation/Internet Crimes

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SOURCE: State of Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Computer Crimes and Electronic Evidence Laboratory; Connecticut State Police, Public Information Office; Safekids.com; FBI; FTC; National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
PREPARED BY: 211/ch
CONTENT LAST REVIEWED: February2024