Safe Surf Rules for Children
1. Obey your parents rules, even if you think they are lame or silly. You have to trust that they are doing the right thing.
2. Know that TRUST between you and your Mom and Dad is the BEST protection you will ever have ~ on the internet AND in the real world!
3. NEVER give out:
Your full name, your last name
Your parents' full names, your friend's full names, your teacher's name
(If your teacher's name is Mrs. Jones, just call her "Mrs. J")
Your age or grade
(people can tell how old you are from the grade you are in)
Your home address
The addresses of your friends or family
Your phone number
Your friends or family's phone numbers
Your personal e-mail address or any address you are not sure is safe
(certain e-mail addresses are safe, more on this later)
Anyone else's e-mail address
The name of your city or town
Your school name or address
The names of any teams or clubs you belong to
Any passwords you have or know
4. These things are safe give out:
Your first name or a nickname that does not give away your last name
The country you live in (ONLY the country)
An e-mail address that your parents have told you it is "OK" to use
(It is a good idea to get your parents to help you set up a secure e-mail address that you will know is "OK" to use ~ free e-mail accounts are good for this)
Anything your parents have told you is "OK" to say
5. NEVER ever put your picture on the internet OR let somebody else put it on the internet unless your parents say it is "OK"
6. NEVER, never ever agree to meet an online "friend" somewhere in the real world. Let your parents know if you want to meet someone and let them decide if it is "OK" and then take them with you. This is THE ONLY safe way to do this!
7. Don't believe everything a person you meet on the internet says about themselves. Think about how easy it is for you to "fake it" on line and remember it is just as easy for everybody else to do the same
8. Even if somebody says they are a kid, remember that they can very easily lie and don't be fooled ~ still obey the safe surfing rules!
9. Don't download anything without your parents help or "OK"
10. DO show Mom and Dad all the cool and fun sites you find on the internet. Take them by your favorite chat room, show them the really great things you post on bulletin boards ~ THEY just might learn something from YOU!
11. If ANYBODY on the internet says or does something that scares or bothers you ~ something that makes your tummy feel funny ~ stop talking to them right a way, never talk to them again, and TELL MOM OR DAD OR AN ADULT YOU TRUST RIGHT AWAY
12. If ANYBODY online threatens you, your family, or anybody else TELL YOUR PARENTS, THE WEB PAGE ADMINISTRATOR AND THE POLICE
13. Remember it is always better to be safe than to be sorry!