Internet safety--- worth the time: I know, another thing for parents to deal with.

[MeLisa Turcott Strongheart]

With the recent suicide of Phoebe Prince, a 15 year old in Mass. a new awareness of "cyber bullying" and its effects has been examined. Not only are we all concerned about the targets of this kind of bullying, but also how easily virtual bystanders can become part of the problem. I have pasted below a great resource from Family online safety institute--FOSI. (find them at fosi.org).

fosi-parent-tips.pdf

fosi-kids-tips.pdf

The Family

Online Internet Safety Contract*

An agreement between

__________________ and __________________

Child Parent

*Adapted by ICRA from various online safety pledges

and contracts developed by multiple entities:

SafeKids.com (www.safekids.com/contract_kid.htm)

The Mansfield/Richland County Public Library (www.mrcpl.lib.oh.us/WebContract.htm)

Federal Trade Commission Cyberpassport (www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/online/sitesee)

911paging.com (www.paging.com/internetsafety/internetcontract.htm)

I-SAFE America (www.isafe.org/contract-printable.html)

Parent Contract

I know that the Internet can be a wonderful place for my kids to visit. I also know that I must do my part to help keep them safe on their visits. Understanding that my kids can help me, I
agree to follow these rules:

1. I will get to know the services and websites my child uses.

2. I will set reasonable rules and guidelines for computer use by my children and I will discuss these rules and post them near the computer as a reminder.

3. I will not overreact if my child tells me about something “bad” he or she finds or does on the Internet.

4. I will try to get to know my child’s “online friends” and Buddy List contacts just as I try to get to know his or her other friends.

5. I will try to put the home computer in a family area.

6. I will report suspicious and illegal activity and sites to the proper authorities.

7. I will make or find a list of recommended sites for children.

8. I will frequently check to see where my kids have visited on the Internet.

9. I will seek options for filtering and blocking inappropriate Internet material from my children.

10. I will talk to my kids about their online explorations and take online adventures with them as often as I can.

I agree to the above.

___________________________________ __________________

Parent signature(s) Date

I understand that my parents have agreed to live by these rules and I agree to help my parents explore the Internet with me.

___________________________________ __________________

Child signature Date

Child’s Contract

I know that the Internet can be a wonderful place to visit. I also know that it is important for me to follow rules that will keep me safe on my visits. I agree to the following rules:

1. I will choose a safe and sensible screen name for myself that will not reveal personal information about my family or me.

2. I will keep my password private, except from my parents. I will not sign up for other e-mail accounts without my parents’ approval.

3. I will not put my personal information in my profile. I will not share my personal information, or that of my parents or any other family member, in any way,
shape or form, online or with someone I meet online. This includes, but is not limited to name,
address, telephone number, age or school name.

4. I will treat others the way I want to be treated.

5. I will use good manners when I’m online, including good language and respect. I will not pick fights or use threatening or mean words.

6. I will make my own personal safety my priority, since I know there are some people who might be online and pretend to be someone they’re not.

7. I will be honest with my parents about people I meet online and will tell them, without always being asked, about these people. I won’t answer any e-mails or
instant messages from anyone my parents have not approved.

8. If I see or read things that are bad, icky or mean, I will log off and tell my parents so they can make sure it never happens again.

9. I will tell my parents if I receive pictures, links to bad sites, e-mail or instant messages with bad language or if I’m in a chat room where people are using swear words or mean and hateful language.

10. I will not send anything to anyone I’ve met online, without my parents’ okay. If I get something from someone I’ve met online, I’ll tell my parents immediately
(because that means they have my private information).

11. I will not do anything that someone I’ve met online asks me to, especially when I know it’s something my parents would not be happy about or approve of.

12. I will not call, write a snail mail or meet in person anyone who I’ve met online without my parents’ approval or without a parent coming with me.

13. I understand my parents will supervise my time online and use software to monitor or limit where I go online. They’re doing this because they love me and want to protect me.

14. I will teach my parents more about the Internet so we can have fun together and learn cool new things.

I agree to the above.

___________________________________ __________________

Child signature Date

I promise to protect my child’s safety online by making sure these rules are followed. If my child encounters unsafe
situations and tells me, I will handle each situation with maturity and good
sense, without blaming anyone, and will calmly work through it with my child to
ensure safer Internet experiences in the future.

___________________________________ __________________

Parent signature(s) Date