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Safety for Children
As
soon as your children can articulate a sentence,they can begin the process of learning
how to protect themselves against abduction and exploitation.
Children should be taught.
1)
If you are in a public place, and you get separated from your parents,
don't wander around looking for them. Go to a checkout counter, the security
office,or the lost and found and quickly tell the person in charge that
you have lost your mom and dad and need help in finding
them.
2)You
should not get into a car or go anywhere with any person unless your parents
have told you that it is okay.
3)If
someone follows you on foot or in a car, stay away from him or her. You
don't need to go near the car to talk to the people inside.
4)Grownups
and other older people who need help should not be asking children for
help; they should be asking older people.
5)No
one should be asking you for directions or to look for a "lost puppy" or
telling you that your mother or father is in trouble and that he will take
you to them.
6)If
someone tries to take you somewhere, quickly get away from him (or her)
and yell or scream. "This man is trying to take me away" or "This person
is not my father (or mother)."
7)You
should try to use the "buddy system" and never go places alone.
8)Always
ask your parents' permission to leave the yard or play area or to go into
someone's home.
9)Never
hitchhike or try to get a ride home with anyone unless your parents have
told you it is okay to ride with him or her.
10)No
one should ask you to keep a special secret. If he or she does, tell your
parents or teacher.
11)If
someone wants to take your picture, tell him or her NO and tell your parents
or teacher.
12)No
one should touch you in the parts of the body covered by the bathing suit,
nor should you touch anyone else in those areas. Your body is special and
private.
13)You
can be assertive, and you have the right to say NO to someone who tries
to take you somewhere, touches you, or makes you feel uncomfortable in
any way.
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Safety for Parents
Make
it a family rule to
*Never
give out identifying information -- home address, school name, or telephone
number -- in a public message such as chat or bulletin boards, and be sure
you're dealing with someone that both you and your child know and trust before giving
it out via E-mail. Think carefully before revealing any personal information such as age, marital
status, or financial information. Consider using a pseudonym or unlisting
your child's name if your service allows it.
*Get
to know the services your child uses. If you don't know how to log on,
get your child to show you. Find out what types of information it offers
and whether there are ways for parents to block out objectionable material.
*Never
allow a child to arrange a face-to-face meeting with another computer user
without parental permission. If a meeting is arranged, make
the first one in a public spot, and be sure to accompany your child.
*Never
respond to messages or bulletin board items that are suggestive, obscene,
belligerent, threatening, or make you feel uncomfortable.
*Encourage
your children to tell you if they encounter such messages. If you or your
child receives a message that is harassing, of a sexual nature, or threatening,
forward a copy of the messageto your service provider and ask for their assistance.
*Should
you become aware of the transmission, use,or viewing of child pornography
while online,immediately report this to the National Center for Missing
and Exploited Children by calling 1-800-843-5678. You should also notify your online service.
*Remember
that people online may not be who they seem. Because you can't see or even
hear the person it would be easy for someone to misrepresent him-or herself.
Thus, someone indicating that "she" is a"12-year-old girl" could in reality
be a 40-year-old man.
*Remember
that everything you read online may not be true. Any offer that's "too
good to be true" probably is. Be very careful about any offers that involve
your coming to a meeting or having someone visit your house. Set reasonable
rules and guidelines for computer use by your children Discuss these rules
and post them near the computer as a reminder.
*Remember
to monitor their compliance with these rules, especially when it comes
to the amount of time your children spend on the computer. A child or teenager's
excessive use of online services or bulletin boards, especially late at
night, may be a clue that there is a potential problem. Remember that personal
computers and online services should not be used as electronic
babysitters.
*Be
sure to make this a family activity. Consider keeping the computer in a
family room rather than the child's bedroom. Get to know their"online friends"
just as you get to know all of their other friends
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