- Once something has been published, emailed, chatted, posted, texted, or sent, it is out of your hands forever.
- Teenagers spend an average of 5 hours per day online. Do you know where they're going? If you don't want them running around the streets of Chicago, New York, or Harlem by themselves at night, you don't want them perusing the internet without safety measures and education.
- You children face grave dangers online that you are not aware of, including cyberbullying.
- Communication is key. Talk with you children about appropriate behaviors online. Make sure they feel comfortable telling you if something happens.
10 Steps for an Internet Safety Plan
- Place your computer in a public, open area.
- Work together with your spouse to set boundaries.
- Work together with your spouse and children to set rules.
- Sign an agreement.
- Install security software.
- Use parental controls.
- Remind your family that those they meet online are strangers - pictures are easily faked, and you cannot take everyone on their word. Find out what permissions are on your children's Facebook settings. Who can see their information and pictures?
- Use strong passwords. Change them every 3 months, and do not use the same password in multiple locations if you can possibly avoid it. Strong passwords use upper and lower case letters, numbers, and special characters.
- Check security software. Are you using antivirus, antimalware, and a firewall?
- Stay informed.
Free Anti-Virus:
Avast, AVG
Free Anti-Malware:
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, Spybot: Search & Destroy
Free Firewall:
Comodo, recommended by the Church
Free Mobile Security:
Lookout - Scans apps when you install them
