Online Safety
PAT'S PLACE CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER
Tips for Parents Talk to your kids openly and honestly. Teach children and teens what to do if someone approaches them online. Teach children and teens the strategies that online predators use (flattery, buying gifts, etc.). Encourage your kids to tell you about anything that makes them uncomfortable, even if they broke an internet safety rule. Monitor internet usage regularly (tips inside). Restrict internet usage at night (directions inside). Do not allow phones in the bathroom or bedroom. Report concerning messages to law enforcement or the cyber tipline at missingkids.org.
Internet Rules for Youth Never communicate with someone you do not know. Do not share personal information online, including while gaming. Do not talk to someone across multiple platforms (ex. moving conversations from Instagram to Snapchat). Make all social media accounts private. Never meet someone who you have only talked to online. Do not share passwords to your phone or apps with friends.
Sexting + Sextortion Sexting is when one person sends another person sexually explicit photographs, videos, or messages. Talk to teens about dangers of sexting. People pretend to be someone else to get young people to send photos. When you send a video or image, you do not have control over who sees it. If a person’s phone connects to a wireless network, others have access to the phone’s content. Sextortion is when a person threatens or blackmails a child or teen and demands sexual images, sexual activity, or money. It often occurs after young people believe they are communicating with someone their own age and share nude or sexual images of themselves. 1 in pictures 4 After the criminals have or videos, teens admit 1 in 4 they threaten to release them unless they to sexting. get what they want. teens admit
to sexting.
Router Parental Controls Router parental controls allow you to limit screen time and websites on your home WiFi. Instructions depend on the type of router and can be found online. Router add-ons: Devices that you can add to your home router that set time limits on certain apps and devices, monitors browsing history, etc. on your home WiFi. Circle Home Plus Koala Safe Cujo Bark Norton Family
Monitoring Phone Usage Set content and privacy restrictions on your child's phone (search "content and privacy restrictions” in a search engine to find instructions). Limit the ability to install and delete apps. Prevent explicit content and content ratings on music and movies. Filter website content. iPhone monitoring: Family Sharing - a parent or guardian can set up an account with age-appropriate content access, Screen Time settings, and more. Android monitoring: Google Play app - set up parental controls for apps, games, and other digital content.
Monitoring Apps Monitoring apps are applications that are installed on a primary account holder’s phone that monitor other devices on the account. Features may include social media monitoring, blocking nude content and explicit websites, sending alerts regarding concerning content, and setting screen time. Bark Canopy NetNanny FamilyTime Mobicip Qustodio Note: This list is for informational purposes only. It is not exhaustive or an endorsement of any product.
Contact us
For more resources, visit missingkids.org/ netsmartz/resources
Pat's Place Child Advocacy Center 901 East Blvd. Charlotte, NC 28203 704-335-2760 | patsplacecac.org