Kid's Guide to Internet Safety

Be open with your parents

• Remember that your parents’ primary goal is to keep you safe.
• Letting them know what you are doing builds trust, which eventually means more freedom.
• Share your account information with your parents, and make sure to talk about your online experiences often

Don’t worry about mistakes or accidents

• Everyone makes mistakes, but the key is to learn from those mistakes.
• If you accidentally find something that is inappropriate make sure you tell an adult.
• Attempting to act like it never happened can sometimes make you look guilty!

Share your favorite online activities with your parents

• Teach your parents about your favorite apps, games, and websites.
• If you can show them that something is safe and fun they’re more likely to approve.
• By sharing an experience together you can show them what is important to you!

Tell your parents about any people that you’ve met online, especially people you talk to often

• Try to focus on being friends online with people you know in real life.
• If you do have an online-only friend, make sure your parents know about them.
• Talk about what information is OK to share and what is not.

Work with your parents to create technology rules for the whole family

• Every family needs a set of rules or guidelines for technology.
• Everyone should help to make the rules, but remember that your parents have the last word.
• Sometimes parents can’t see something from your perspective, so help them by talking about it!

Keep all of your personal and private information offline

• Private information, like your address, phone number, and birth date, should never be discussed.
• Personal information, like hobbies, friends, and school activities, should only be discussed with people you know in real life.
• General topics about games, movies, and current events should be safe, but always trust your instincts.

Learn as much about the technology that you use as you can

• Technology is an awesome resource, and it makes us more successful to know how to use it.
• Becoming an expert with your devices and apps can keep you safe by teaching you exactly how everything works.
• Remember, just because something seems safe doesn’t mean that it is. Always check with your parents!

Always use your privacy setting while you’re online

• Privacy settings are there for a reason, so make sure you use them.
• Choose who you share your content with wisely.
• Sharing something publicly allows everyone in the world to see it, so always think before you post.

Always tell someone if you see cyberbullying, especially if you’re the one being bullied

• Cyberbullying is an issue that many students have to face.
• Teachers and Counselors are trained to help you, so always tell them if this is happening.
• Speak up for those who might be scared or embarrassed to speak for themselves. We all need a little help sometimes!

Be a good digital role model

• Being responsible online isn’t just good for you, but everyone who sees you.
• Classmates, siblings, and others might learn how to be safe from watching your actions.
• Take pride in using your skills to be a good digital citizen.