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INTERNET SAFETY TRAINING
Presented by Sergeant Steve Wolf
internetsafetycop@gmail.com
949-456-1131
Parents have long been teaching their children the standard rules
for safety in the physical world, but these days they are also tasked with providing information
about cyber safety, a topic that is new and difficult for some parents. We feel that parents
are the best teachers for their children, and I am honored to share this information with all of
you.
Please find the attached guide a reference guide for your trek
onto the information superhighway. This will help you navigate the tough roads that may be ahead,
and quite possibly roads you have not yet explored.
Use a bench at the computer rather than a single chair, this
encourages joint use between child and parent, sit together and visit websites together.
Computers should not be in the child’s bedroom, keep it in a central location so that you can
monitor how, when, and how long your child is online.
Wonderful folks at the Irvine Police Department compiled this
sheet. Without their hard work and expertise, this program would have never reached you today. I’d
like to thank the following people for their contributions:
Theresa Atchley, Shiree Lind, Andrew Zelinko, Mike Frei, and Roopa
Mathur
GENERAL COMPUTER and INTERNET TIPS
· Talk to your children about internet use
· Establish family rules for computer
· Limit amount of time they spend on computer
· Remind them not to post anything that could embarrass them later or
expose them to danger
· People aren’t always who they say they are online
· If they are being harassed online then tell someone
· If it needs to be reported to police then contact your school
officials and the police
COMPUTER CLASSES FOR ADULTS-
http://www.pc-classes.com/
PARENTAL CONTROLS-
· Every Internet Service Provider has parental controls, but often the controls can prohibit
searches that may be legitimate.
· Windows XP has different accounts you may create as the administrator.
· If you want to check your MAC history click on “history” in the menu bar.
· To check your PC: enter “CtrlH” simultaneously.
· When in doubt, go to the windows ‘Help’ button and follow the prompts.
If you are your son/daughters administrator on their MAC or PC, you can block websites with
inappropriate content.
CELL PHONE MONITORING-
http://www.mymobilewatchdog.com/
http://www.mobile-spy.com/
Consumer Guides for popular ‘Smart Phones’
Droid X
http://www.motorola.com/Support/US-EN/Consumer-Support/Mobile-Phones/Motorola+DROID+X
Droid
http://www.motorola.com/Support/US-EN/Consumer-Support/Mobile-Phones/Droid+-+USA_Default+US_Loc%253AUS-EN
Iphone
http://support.apple.com/manuals/
Incredible
http://www.htc.com/us/support/droid-incredible-verizon/downloads/
BlackBerry
http://docs.blackberry.com/en/
SOFTWARE FOR DESKTOPS/LAPTOPS-
www.Software4parents.com
This website has the below listed software options and more. These options cover a variety of
areas including monitoring and spyware/adware
Spector
eBlaster
Net Detective
IamBigBrother
NetNanny
Sex OffenderZipCodeSearch
MY SPACE/FACEBOOK
My Space is only one of the many social networking sites that are so popular with kids. There
are many other sites and they fade in and out of popularity. Parents must create their own My Space
account to have access to other sites, including their children’s site. My Space provides online
safety tips for parents and teens. Go to the MySpace.com Homepage, scroll to the bottom of the page
and click on Safety Tips.
When on My Space your kids need to control information
· Never give out their date of birth
· Never give out their full name or location
· Never give out personal descriptions
· Never give out habits, hobbies, hangouts
· Google your family! to see what information is on the Web
· Zabasearch.com
· Tell your kids to be extra careful of the surveys; they can really put out too much information
this way.
· Monitor your child’s home page for Facebook or MySpace for personal information on a regular
basis.
CREATING A SCREEN NAME AND ACCOUNT
If you want to view pages on MySpace and Facebook, first set up an Email account and then set up
your own account.
SCREEN NAME
· Go to Yahoo or MSN home page (www.yahoo.com or
www.msn.com)
· Look for “Free mail Sign Up” link on Yahoo
· Look for “Hotmail” link on MSN
· Click ‘Sign Up” for free Email account
· Follow the prompts on the screen
· Create a screen name that does not use any personal information (you may want to print this page
so that you can remember your information)
· Remember your password; you will need it each time you sign on.
· Go to your new Email account and check your first Email in your mailbox to confirm your account
and get usage tips
MY SPACE ACCOUNT
· Go to www.myspace.com
· Click on the orange button that says “Sign Up”
· Insert your newly created Email address and screen name
· Type in information that does not compromise your personal identity
· Type in the verification code listed at the bottom (required)
· Click “Sign Up”
· Once on “Your” page, click search or browse at the top of the page to find other MySpace
pages
FACEBOOK ACCOUNT
· Got to www.facebook.com
· Fill out the blanks on the left side of the screen to sign up
· DO NOT use real information if you want to use this as a covert profile!
· Click the green ‘Sign Up’ button under the information
· The next screen will guide you through the process of signing up
· You now have access to all of Facebook’s features
· Once you have signed up, sign in at the top right of the main Facebook page
HOW TO FIND YOUR CHILD’S MY SPACE? FACEBOOK PAGE
You can ask your child for their MySpace page name, for example “young girl 13” would be found at
http://www.myspace.com/younggirl13 or
http://www.facebook.com/younggirl13
However, if you want to find the site to monitor your child’s activity without their knowledge,
you will have to spend some time on research. You can try searching MySpace/Facebook, use the
search box. Type your child’s name, school, or Email address. Another search idea is to find kids
through their friends. Kids will post their friends on their MySpace page, once a parent finds one
friend, it is easy to click the photos and access other MySpace/Facebook sites automatically.
Again, to find someone on MySpace/Facebook enter the Email address you are looking for in the
Find a Friend space. Try other Email addresses or names if necessary. Or try searching the school.
Once you find someone, you can find all of their friends.
Important: You and your child should know EVERYONE PERSONALLY that is on their friend/buddy list.
It is fine to talk to schoolmates, friends, or cousins, but there should be no one on the list that
is known only through the computer, and certainly no adults outside the family.
CHOOSING A SCREEN NAME
Give your child some guidelines about choosing a screen name; avoid any name that gives out too
much personal information.
DO NOT USE:
· Your real first name
· Your real last name
· Your location (i.e. irvinegirl)
· Your zip code
· A suggestive name or word (i.e. sexyman69, hotbabygirl)
· Pornographic or obscene words
For added security, always opt NOT to add your name or nickname to any sort of member
directory.
Additionally, give your child guidelines about posting appropriate photos on their webpage. An
avatar might be a good option for a photo, as this is a cartoon-like picture. Personal photos
cannot be taken back from the internet. Once they are added to a page on WWW, it can be captured by
anyone. Think carefully!
INSTANT MESSAGING
Children communicate through Instant Messaging. It is important that your child does not post their
IM name on their MySpace/Facebook website because this gives anyone instant contact with your
child.
CELL PHONES
Ÿ Lock Phone with passwords so someone doesn’t use their phone
Ÿ Parents have passwords-no-one else should have them
Ÿ Check contents on phone
Ÿ Order phone reports from cell providers, check time stamps on texts
Ÿ Discuss the legal ramifications of sexting and cyberbullying with kids
USEFUL WEBSITES
Title: National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
URL: www.ncmec.org
Description: Information on general child safety and Internet safety for children, parents,
educators, law enforcement, and the community
Title: National Crime Prevention Council
URL: www.ncpc.org
Description: General crime prevention information, downloadable brochures and articles for all
ages, including children. Kids can play with McGruff and Scruffy.
Title: The Children’s Partnership
URL: www.childrenspartnership.org
Description: General information on current child-related topics including the use of technology.
Some information is available in multiple languages. Also contains a parent’s guide that is very
helpful and informative
Title: ”MISSING” Interactive Computer Program for Kids
URL: www.webwisekids.org
Description: Interactive Internet Safety Training Game for kids who help an Internet “Detective”
track down an online predator. During the course of the game, they learn how to identify the lures
a predator uses to entice interaction with a child/teen – EXCELLENT!
Title: ISafe Internet Safety for Youth
URL: www.isafe.org
Description: Internet Safety for Children & Teens
Title: GetNetWise
URL: www.getnetwise.com
Description: This site is a resource for parents to educate themselves and their children about how
to use the Internet safely. They provide information on filtering software and recommend safe web
sites for children of all ages.
Title: SafeKids.com
URL: www.safekids.com
Description: This site contains information for children, parents, teachers, and officials on
Internet safety and Internet family resources.
Title: NetSmartz
URL: www.netsmartz.org
Description: This site contains Internet safety information for children, parents, teachers, and
officials. It provides links to child-friendly and other Internet safety sites as well as fun games
and activities for children.
Title: SafeTeens.com
URL: www.safeteens.com
Description: This site provides tips, advice, links, and suggestions to help make your family's
online experience fun and productive.
Title: Web Slang
URL: http://www.web-friend.com/help/lingo/chatslang.html
Description: Provides chat, e-mail, Instant Message and other Web slang and acronyms. These
acronyms can change based on the tight-knit social group using them, they may create their own
terms.
Title: Urban Dictionary
URL: http://www.Urbandictionary.com
Description: An alphabetical listing and definitions for pop culture slang
Title: Microsoft
URL: http://www.microsoft.com/athome/intouch/safechatting.mspx
Description: Provides tips for when signing up for chat rooms and other useful information.
Title: National Cyber Security Alliance
URL: http://www.staysafeonline.org
Description: Providing awareness, knowledge and tools to prevent cyber crime
Title: Internet Solutions for Kids
URL: http://www.cyberbully411.org
Description: A resource for youth who have questions about or have been targeted by online
harassment.
Title: Unhealthy Gaming Habits and Addition
URL: http://www.ocf.berkeley.edu/~jenchan/OnlineGamingAddiction.html
Description: Explorers effects of excessive on line gaming on social behavior
Title: Microsoft Online gaming/ play it safe
URL: http://www.microsoft.com/protect/parents/gaming/about.aspx
Description: Education for parents about online gaming safety
Title: Focus on the Family
URL: http://www.focusonthefamily.com/socialissues/pornography/pornography/cause-for-concern.aspx
Description: Information on pornographies’ effects on healthy sexuality.
LEGAL SECTIONS THAT MAY APPLY (CONSULT YOUR LOCAL JURISDICTION)
PC 653(M)- Annoying, harassing phone calls, or computer generated chat/text messages
PC 311- Obscene matter sent or distributed to minors by adults or other minors
PC 422- Criminal threats conveyed to another that are viable and serious in nature
PC 646.9- Stalking of another involving a series of threats or pattern of behavior
PC 502- Computer crimes. Using stolen or entrusted passwords for criminal intent
Sergeant Wolf’s Tips for Parents & Teachers
Hold your children responsible!
Parents, you may think you are being too hard on the child, but the “breaks” they are getting bring
about a sense of being irresponsible about behavior.
Students need counseling too!
Counseling is the best way to allow the student and family involved to share their troubles with
professionals.
Use your school counselor or Dean’s office
There are many things the student will talk to an adult about if a relationship has been
formed.
Build a “Circle of Concern!”
Make sure the student feels that they are surrounded by loving, caring professionals and family
members.
Kids should have access!
Whether it is your cell phone number or your Email or other methods. Make sure you are around when
they need you, which is not always during church or school hours.
Go to school or extracurricular activities!
This builds trust between you and your children, and this may lead to them confiding in you when it
matters most.
Learn what is going on!
Learn the music, the culture, the slang, the fears, the technology, and the life of your
children.
Take a few minutes to care!
We are all busy, but the 5 minutes you invest may save a life.
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