Start a Discussion with Your Child - Online Predators

 

 

 

Use these discussion starters to get an Internet safety conversation going with your children. The more often you talk to them about online safety, the easier it will get, so don’t get discouraged if they don’t respond immediately!

 

 

• What do you know about online predators?
• Have you ever met anyone online who asked you to meet face-to-face?
• What would/did you do if someone asked to meet you in person?
• Has anyone ever tried talking to you online about inappropriate or sexual things? What did you do?
• How might someone online try to gain your trust?
• Why might someone online want to gain your trust? What are the possible risks of trusting them?
• Why is it important that you come to me if someone makes you feel uncomfortable online?

 

Help Protect Your Children from Online Predators

There is no greater risk to a child’s safety than an online predator who wishes to meet in person. Help teach your children to identify predators’ methods for online enticement.

• Your child should NEVER meet face-to-face with anyone they first met online without your permission and/or attendance.
• Take an interest in your child’s online activities and know with whom he or she is communicating.
• Teach your child to refrain from talking about sex with anyone they meet online.
• Do not hesitate to ask questions, especially if your child is acting suspiciously.
• Teach your child not to reveal personal information.
• Approve all photos and videos before your child posts them online. Make sure they do not reveal identifying information and are not sexually provocative or inappropriate.
• Look for warning signs. If you feel your child is in danger, make a report to www.cybertipline.com and contact your local law-enforcement agency immediately.

Phishing Scam

Scammers will try to obtain your information by sending emails that look official in hopes you click on a link they provide.

Examples of Phishing Messages

You open an email or text, and see a message like this:

"We suspect an unauthorized transaction on your account. To ensure that your account is not compromised, please click the link below and confirm your identity."

"During our regular verification of accounts, we couldn't verify your information. Please click here to update and verify your information."

“Our records indicate that your account was overcharged. You must call us within 7 days to receive your refund.”

The senders are phishing for your information so they can use it to commit fraud.

How to Deal with Phishing Scams

Delete email and text messages that ask you to confirm or provide personal information (credit card and bank account numbers, Social Security numbers, passwords, etc.). Legitimate companies don't ask for this information via email or text.

The messages may appear to be from organizations you do business with – banks, for example. They might threaten to close your account or take other action if you don’t respond.

Don’t reply, and don’t click on links or call phone numbers provided in the message, either. These messages direct you to spoof sites – sites that look real but whose purpose is to steal your information so a scammer can run up bills or commit crimes in your name.

Area codes can mislead, too. Some scammers ask you to call a phone number to update your account or access a "refund." But a local area code doesn’t guarantee that the caller is local.

If you’re concerned about your account or need to reach an organization you do business with, call the number on your financial statements or on the back of your credit card.

 

Thank you to onguardonline.gov for the information!

Post to Be Private

 

 





Does your child understand how to set their social media pages to private? Do they know who is on their "friends" list? Watch this video and discuss with them the importance of accepting friend requests only from people they know in real life. Also talk to them about not oversharing personal information or identifying information in pictures and video.

 

Thank you to NetSmartz.org for producing this video!





You Can't Take It Back

 

 



Do your children know what cyberbullying is? Cyberbullying is the use of technology to tease, humiliate, threaten, and/or harass someone. After watching the video ask them how private they think the internet is. Are they respectful towards others and would they ever put any information on a website intended for only their friends? Let them know that cyberbullying can occur through text messages or social media. Cyberbullies might send hurtful comments, pictures designed to embarrass someone, or make fun of others. Make sure they know they can come to you for help.

 



 

 



Online Gaming

 

 

After watching this video, ask your kids if they ever talk to other gamers online. Do they share any personal information? Do they ever hear anything that makes them feel uncomfortable? Have they ever been offered gifts? Make sure they know that they should come to you if they ever feel uneasy or are asked for any personal information. Show them how to mute or block cyberbullies and let them know that they should never gifts in exchange for information. Below is a list of tips for gaming safety.