Internet Safety/Social Media

Netiquette is the correct or acceptable way of communicating on the internet. Children who have been taught netiquette are safer and better prepared to handle online social situations such as cyberbullying, inappropriate requests for pictures or personal information, and the lure of chatrooms and other portals to the big, wide world. Parents are encouraged to educate themselves, and in turn, to educate their children. It is extremely important that parents closely monitor their children's online activity. 

These sites offer suggestions for helping children navigate the internet safely and respectfully. 

Netsmartz is an interactive, educational safety resource, developed by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, there are resources that teach children and teens how to stay safe on the Internet. There is a parent page that will give great parents useful information about internet safety and cyberbullying. There are also pages with information and activities for teens, tweens, and children.

Common Sense Media is a site with informative articles related to internet safety, including reviews of games, websites, movies and apps for children ages 2-18.

The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children offers valuable safety information, including how to have the actual conversation with your child. It walks parents through what to say and how to say it.

This Norton site covers cybercrime, cyberbullying, and online reputation. It also offers some ideas for parental controls.