Tips for Safe Internet Use

Adults and children don't use the internet for the same things.  Adults work o­n the internet and use it for information and shopping.

Children use the internet for social interaction and entertainment.  It is important that adults understand that children don't have the knowledge. experience or the developmental growth to understand the dangers that accessing the internet presents.   Educating your children, while it is very important, is not enough to ensure their safety.  Not all internet services are appropriate for children.  You must be your child's first defense when they are o­n the internet. 

Below are some directions that you may give to your children to help keep them safe.  There is no subsitute for direct supervision and a child should never be o­n the internet without adults directly available. 

We do not recommend that elementary school students have free Email or Instant Messenger accounts.  Furthermore, we do not recommend that K-8 students have "social website" accounts like Facebook or My Space.  This is also a violation of their acceptable use policy.  We do provide an filtered, supervised email account here at school. 

Click here for the

FBI's Parent's Guide to Internet Safety

Nauset Public Schools PDF o­n good safety tips for instant messaging etc. 

We do not recommend that children ever use an Internet accessible computer without direct supervison.

If your child uses instant messaging or visits chat rooms, what is your child's screen name?  Does it reveal any information about your child?

Who is o­n your child's buddy list?  Who has your child's screen name o­n their buddy lists?

We do recommend that you be aware of how, when, where and with whom your child uses the computer.

Too often, children are asked to make adult decisions o­n the computer because they are using systems (like AOL IM) that are designed for adults.

This is compounded by the fact that they may be using such systems with little or no adult supervision.   

You can be unsafe o­n the internet if you:

• Give your name, address, phone number, etc. over the Internet.
• Use an email address or login name that gives information about you. 
• Send a picture of yourself to people without asking your parents first.
• Respond to messages that make you feel uncomfortable, especially if they are mean, suggestive, or obscene.Tell an adult right away.
• Invite anyone to your house.
• Meet an o­n-line pal.  Even crowded, public places can be unsafe.  
• Tell people where you go to school.
• Don't talk to your parents and set rules about the Internet, including what hours of the day you can use it, and for how long.