Parents urged to talk with kids about online safety on Safer Internet Day

Local authorities say that today is Safer Internet Day and are encouraging you to learn more about keeping children safe online.

The day is being organized by the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and other organizations that advocate for victims. The task force recommends that you open a dialogue with children about the dangers online, encourage them to speak up early when things feel wrong and for adults to respond to warning signs immediately.

The Task Force’s message is that no child is responsible for being deceived online and they deserve protection and a safe space to ask for help.

The Task Force suggests this is a good time to review your household online safety rules. You should teach kids never to share private information or images online. Predators could demand money, images or that children take harmful actions against themselves or others. And they should know that any time they give in to those online demands, it will only invite more demands.

You should make sure that children have a trusted adult they can tell about any uncomfortable activity and have an exit plan for any unwanted contact. Children should know to stop the communications, to block the offender and to tell someone.

You can find more information here:
https://www.icactaskforce.org/Pages/InternetSafety.aspx

safer.connectsafely.org/get-involved