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Internet Safety Program Combats Online Predators
While the Internet offers a world of information for kids, it also
presents great dangers from online sexual predators.
Every year, one in five children receives a sexual solicitation or
approach over the Internet. With millions of children in chat rooms
and sending instant messages, parents must take action to protect
their kids.
A recent survey of young people revealed the following statistics
about how parents are supervising their children's online time: More
than half of young people (53 percent) say their
parents never ask them about whom they are talking to on the
Internet, and 55 percent say their
parents never surf the Internet with them.
Boys & Girls Clubs of America has partnered with the National Center
for Missing and
Exploited Children to create NetSmartz (
www.netsmartz.org ), an
interactive, educational safety
resource for children ages 5 to 17. Parents, guardians, educators
and law enforcement personnel can access age-appropriate, 3-D
activities to teach children how to stay safer on the
Internet.
Here are some Internet safety tips for parents:
* Keep the computer in the family room or another open area of your
home.
* If children use chat or e-mail, talk to them about never meeting
in person with anyone they "met" online.
* Know who your children are exchanging e-mail with, and only let
them use chat areas when you can supervise. Limit chatroom access to
child-friendly chat sites.
* Let your children show you what they do online. Visit their
favorite Web sites.
* If you suspect online "stalking" or sexual exploitation of a
child, report it to your local law-enforcement agency or call the
CyberTipline at (800) 843-5678.
With the support of Microsoft, BGCA also has implemented the Club
Tech program in more than 3,700 Boys & Girls Clubs nationwide. Club
Tech's goal is to "technology enable" every club by providing
software, curriculum and computer training for staff and youth.
New technology centers are becoming available online every week,
teaching basic computer
skills and Internet safety.
For more information, visit
www.bgca.org or
www.netsmartz.org .
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