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INTERNET SAFETY PROJECT


 * The following page includes ways to be safe on the computer. Also, the information on this page is designed for ages 5-70. **

**General Information**

Children five and under should be monitored on the computer. Be aware of strangers and pop-ups. If a pop-up appears, do not click on it. This could damage your computer.

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 * Cyberbullying & Harrasment **
 * All Ages **


 * Cyber bullying has become a big issue throughout America. Cyberbullying is teasing/ making fun of a person online. If you receive a message or a post on a Social Network tell a trusted parent or teacher. Or you could tell a close friend. If you are constantly being bullied, you need to seek help quick. The problem will NOT go away. If someone is bulling you online, make sure that you do not bully them back & block them. Remember that it is never worth taking your life. Harrasment is also a part of cyberbullying. Harrasment is unwelcome conduct that is based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetic information. It can happen over the internet or in person. Harrashment violates the Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, (ADEA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, (ADA). If you are harrased, tell someone! If the harrasment is continues, file a harrasment charge. **


 * Passwords **
 * All Ages **
 * Passwords are made for a reason. That reason is to keep your information confidential. Do not give out your password to anyone. If you give out your password, someone could do something bad with your account. The only person who you should trust with your password, is your parent. **


 * Email Accounts **
 * All Ages **


 * Email account are a way to contact a person virtually. You shouldn't make your email address something that gives out a lot of information. For Ex: SusieQuakes396@hotmail.com gives out too much information about Susie. In you email, you can receive spams. If you receive a spam, it will most likely go to your spam mail. Do not open up the spam, just delete it. Also, don't give out your email to people you don't know. Beware of spams & unknown people on your email. If you have any problems with your email, report it. **

**Chat rooms/ Instant messaging** **Ages 5 and up** **People use chat rooms at all ages. Chat rooms are okay to use only if you aren’t giving out personal information. You should not trust ANYONE who you talk to online because for all you know, they could be an imposter. If you talk to strangers online & they ask to meet you, say NO! When you do a voice chat be careful of what you say & make sure you do not give out personal information. In my opinion, kids ages 6 under should not be on chat rooms, but it is up to the parent to make that decision.**


 * Sexting **
 * Ages 12 and up **
 * Sexting **
 * Ages 12 and up **


 * ** 22% of teen girls and 20% of teen boys have sent nude or semi-nude photos of themselves over the Internet or their phones. **
 * ** 22% of teens admit that technology makes them personally more forward and aggressive. **
 * ** 38% of teens say exchanging sexy content makes dating or hooking up with others more likely. **
 * ** 29% of teens believe those exchanging sexy content are “expected” to date or hook up. **


 * Sexting is sending revealing picture themselves or send sexually expl **** icit messages through text. **** Most people sext when they are in a relationship because they think that the relationship will last longer. It is important because what you send, can be sent to others easily. If your pictures get sent to others, they will keep popping up & people who weren’t suppose to see the picture will now see it. If you sext, that does not make you cool. If someone over 18 sends you a nude picture, they can be charged child pornography.If you recieve an image, delete it and tell the sender to not send them. If the sender continues to send them, talk to a trusted adult. **


 * To avoid harassment and conflicts, don't send nude pictures! It's not cool. **


 * Note to Parents: **
 * Talk to your kids about sexting before you experience a problem. Tell them that once the picture is sent, they cannot control who sees it. Also, talk to them about being pressured into sending the picture. Tell them to ignore the pressure and say no. This will avoid humiliation, if the picture gets sent around. **



**Facebook** **Ages 10 and up**


 * Facebook is a Social network used to communicate with others. You are suppose to be 13 or older when you make the account. A lot of people today who have facebooks, are not 13 and over.If you are under 13, you should deactivate your facebook. On your Facebook account, make sure that you do not give out personal information such as your phone number, your email address, where you live, & etc. Also, beware of strangers friend-ing you. If a stranger friends you, ignore the friend request. Another thing that you should beware of is scams. A lot of scams can come up on your profile talking about car insurance & different scam pictures. **


 * Phishing & Scams **
 * All Ages **


 * Phishing is a scam that ask you for personal information such as your bank account information & security card number. This type of scam, is a big internet scam. The scammer usually tricks the person by sending them an email acting as their bank carrier. the scammer usually has a link in the email that send the person to their "bank website". On the "bank website" they ask for your personal information. All of the personal information that you type in will be collected by the scammer. If someone gets a hold of your bank account information, they can take over your bank account, use your money, or steal your identity. If someone steals your identity, they can do bad things that will end up on your record. If you get an email, sending you to a bank website, do not type in your information. it is most likely a scam. For scams in general, ignore them. They can damage your computer with a virus. **


 * Tips: **
 * - Block the sender of the email **
 * - Do not reply to the email **
 * - Report it as a spam **
 * - Don't type in your personal **
 * - If you get caught in the trick- call your bank account immediately **


 * Identity Theft & Bank Account Information **
 * All Ages **


 * Your bank account information should be private. Do not give anyone your card number or security code. If someone gets a hold of your card number, they can hack into your bank account. If they tap into your bank account, they can control your account, take your money, or steal your identity. If someone steals your identity they are acting as if they are you. This is not good. Identity theft is a crime. You can face jail time if you hack someones bank account or steal their identity. Someone can also steal your identity if they have your social security number. Your social security number identifies you.If you become a victim of identity theft or bank account information, contact your bank, go to the Social Security Administration, or the Internal Revenue Service. Be stingy with your account information. Refuse to give it out. If you give it out, give it to trusted people only. **


 * Sexual Predators **
 * All Ages **


 * Sexual Predators are everywhere, even online. Sexual predators are people who have been charged with sexually abusing a minor ( someone under 18). Sexual predators should be registered online. You can check for them at www.familywatchdog.com or you can sign up to have an automated voice call your house whenever one moves into you neighborhood. It is very important to be aware of this. Many sexual predators are males, but they can also be females. Girls/ Women mainly become the victim of sexual predators. If the predator pressures you into doing what they want you to do, say no!The most common types of sexual abuses are molestation (touching someone inappropriately) and rape (sexual intercourse). Most people wait a while before they say that they have been raped or molested. If someone rapes or molests you, tell a trusted adult as soon as possible. After telling an adult that you were sexually abused, call ** **1 (800) 96-ABUSE.**


 * All Ages **
 * ** Look after each other . Don’t give out your friend’s personal information online as it could put them at risk. Look after and respect your friends while you are online. **
 * ** Think about your username or ‘handle’. Use a nickname, not your real name, and a nickname that is not going to attract the wrong type of attention. **
 * **Learn how to block another player . If another player is behaving badly and annoying you then you should block them so you don’t hear from them again.**
 * ** You can always kick someone out of the game if they are making you feel uncomfortable . **
 * ** If there is voice chat on the game, sometimes you can disguise your voice by using a voice mask – these will make you sound different, like a robot for example. If you don’t want people to know your age or gender, this may be useful. **
 * ** Learn how to report another user . If another player is making you feel uncomfortable, by harassing you for personal information for example, then you should report them to the games provider **
 * ** Learn how to keep a record, and keep any key information. It’s easier to explain a problem if you can show it. **

**Sources:** ** http://www.justice.gov/criminal/fraud/websites/idtheft.html (Identity theft) **

** http://www.hoax-slayer.com/phisher-scams.html (Phising) **

** http://sheriff.org/sexualpredators/facts.cfm (Sexual predators) **

**http://www.commonsensemedia.org/advice-for-parents/talking-about-sexting (Sexting)**

**www.youtube.com**

**www.google.com**

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