Internet Safety

June is National Internet Safety Month 

Know the Rules...Internet Safety Quiz For Adults 

1. Where is the best place to allow Internet use in the home? 

A. Child's bedroom 
B. Family's living room 
C. Parent/guardian's office in remote area of the home 

Answer B. The safest location for Internet use in the home is in a room where there is sufficient 
adult supervision. Remember children are able to access the Internet on a variety of devices including 
computers, cell phones, other wireless devices, and gaming consoles. It is also essential to know where else your child may access the Internet including friends' homes, libraries, and schools. Have a plan in place to closely supervise and monitor your children's online activity no matter where or how they are accessing the Internet. 

2. Which is the best example of how to protect your children when online ? 

A. Post clear, simple, easy-to-read rules where you allow Internet use in the home; closely supervise your children's online activity when they are at home; and monitor your children's online activity when they access the Internet from other locations. 
B. Allow your children to use the computer only at the library or school 
C. Allow your children to access the Internet only when a friend is nearby 

Answer A . Posting clear, simple, and easy-to-read rules is an excellent way to set boundaries for your children's Internet use. Consider having your children and you sign the rules, which you should periodically review with them. For examples of rules regarding Internet use visit www . NetSmartz .org . This National Center for Missing & Exploited Children® ( NCMEC ) website provides animated videos, 
real-life stories, and safety tips to help you better understand the Internet. If you have questions about the online world, visit NCMEC's www .NetSmartz411.org for guidance customized to your particular situation. Remember nothing beats your supervision of and attention to what your children do while online . 

3. Which social-networking websites are completely safe for children?

A. Social-networking websites that are child friendly 
B. Social-networking websites with security settings 
C. No social-networking websites are completely safe for children 

Answer C . Like most new technological developments, social-networking websites have both positive and negative implications.Children are able to connect with friends and meet others with the same interests. Your children, however, may not be aware they are putting themselves at risk by giving out too much personal information and communicating with people they have first met online . Social-networking websites have various components including instant messaging, chatrooms , profiles, photos, e-mail, and blogs . Individuals accessing these websites can easily contact your children. You should explain to your children the potential risks of social-networking websites and set limits on which websites they may access and when they may access them. 

4. What should you do if your children tell you someone they have "met" online wants to meet them in person?

 
A. Take away their Internet-use privileges. 
B. Praise them for telling you this, and discuss with them the reasons why it is unsafe to meet in person with someone they have met online without your supervision. Make a CyberTipline ® report if you suspect this person is an adult attempting to meet a child. 
C. Tell them it's OK to meet their friend as long as you know where they are going. 

Answer B . Rewarding your children for being forthcoming with information is an excellent way to keep the lines of communication open between your children and you. Your acceptance and praise may encourage them to report incidents to you in the future. You should remind your children not to give out personal information or meet anyone in person without your prior knowledge and consent. If you want to consider a meeting, talk to the other child's parents/guardians. If you agree to the meeting, accompany your child and meet with the other child and his or her parents/guardians in a public place. If you suspect this person is an adult trying to meet a child report it to NCMEC's CyberTipline at www . cybertipline .com or 1-800-843-5678. 

5. Which is an example of an appropriate screenname for a child? 

A. katie _ny13 
B. CuteLitlAngel 
C. Pkdg _329 

Answer C . Those who wish to harm children online often use screennames to select their potential victims. A screenname should never reveal any identifying information about a child especially things such as name, age, location, year of birth, school. 

(This Quiz originated from a communication from the Sunnyvale Police Department)