Someone may not be who they say they are.
(It is possible for someone to “identify” themselves as a
fourteen-year old and really be a fifty-year old.)
It is important to never give out personal
information such as address, home or cell phone number, parent
workplace and/or phone number, school that your child attends. (Even
little bits of information can be pieced together by a
predator to identify your child.)
It is equally important that your child
not send pictures of him/herself or indicate the names of teams
or groups of which they are a member.
Stress that your child should always tell
you if an “online friend” suggests setting up a meeting.
It is very important for kids to observe
good manners online and not respond to mean messages.
If they are the victim of online bullying, it is urgent for them
to tell you so you can follow up on the situation.
Encourage your child to tell you
immediately if they receive or discover any information that
makes them uncomfortable. (Children need to know that
you will help them if inappropriate material is delivered to
them or they stumble onto it.)
