Brockton Police Department - Internet Safety

Internet Safety

As the Internet grows so does the potential for cyber crime. Below are some tips to keep you and your family safe from unwanted content and criminal activity.

Use an internet service that has parental controls such as AOL. This allows the parent to set or limit a child's access to certain areas of the internet.
Purchase child safety software such as "Surf Safe", "Cyber Nanny" etc…
Do not put computers with Internet access in a child's bedroom. Keep THE Computer in a well traveled area in the home.
Learn how to use the computer. There are temporary files and history files that can be used to tell where the child has been on the Internet.
Don't let children download files from the internet or E-mail without checking or knowing who they are from.
Don't allow instant messaging with anyone that you personally have not met.
Beware of chat rooms. This is where most inappropriate contacts begin. Predators have opened innocent looking chat room using popular TV show names to attract the age groups they want to make contact with.
Have your child tell you immediately if anyone sends them inappropriate material or if someone keeps contacting them; especially if the child has told them to stop.
Don't assume that during the day is safer than at night. A Cyber-Stalker who is attempting to contact children will be on-line during the day as well.
Never automatically believe anything you read on-line. Just because someone is claiming to be a 13 year old girl or boy doesn't mean there not a 30 year old man or woman.

Brockton Police Department
7 Commercial Street
Brockton, MA 02302
508 941-0200

HigherSite.com