Online Safety for Children

The internet offers many opportunities for learning and personal growth. It can also offer many dangers to children who use it on a regular basis. Parents are encouraged to talk with their children about how to safely navigate through the information highway known as the internet. Here are some internet safety tips to share with your children and follow as parents to safeguard your children from internet predators and other potential hazards.

• Do not give out personal information such as your address, telephone number, parent's work information or name of your school without your parent's permission.
• If you come across any information or messages that make you feel uncomfortable, tell your parents immediately.
• Never agree to get together with someone that you "meet" online. Always talk with your parents about anyone who wants to do this.
• Do not send a picture of yourself, your family or anything else without getting permission from your parents.
• Parents: Establish rules for using the internet to include placing the computer in an area of the home that is in a high traffic area where you can continue to monitor their activity. Avoid allowing your child to have a computer in their room where their activity is harder to monitor. Install password protected software to restrict their access to only those internet sites that you deem appropriate.

If you have questions about the provided information, please contact one of the officers in the Community Affairs Unit at 636-537-3000 or by email at commaffairs@chesterfield.mo.us