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Hillsdale, MI 49242

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Internet Crimes Unit

Internet Safety Tips for Parents and Children

The Internet has created an exciting new world of information and communication for anyone with access to online services. While this world offers unparalleled opportunities for children and adults to learn about the universe we live in, some risks and dangers exist for children as they travel through Cyberspace. This may include access to illegal content on the Web or receiving inappropriate and unsolicited E-Mail or chat messages.

In addition, individuals who prey on children have quickly adapted to the online community of the Information Age and often use computer technology to seek unsupervised access to and contact with children.

Parental Facts

Based on a recent survey of a national sample of youth ages 10 to 17 who used the Internet regularly :

• Approximately one in five received sexual solicitation or approach over the Internet in the last year

• One in thirty-three received an aggressive sexual solicitation - a solicitor who asked to meet them somewhere, called them on the telephone, sent them regular e-mail, regular mail, money or gifts.

• One in four had an unwanted exposure to pictures of naked people or people having sex in the last year.

• One in seventeen was threatened or harassed.

• Approximately one quarter of young people who reported these incidents were distressed by them.

• About one quarter of the youth who encountered a sexual solicitation or approach told a parent. Almost 40% of those reporting an unwanted exposure to sexual material told a parent.

Areas of Risk

• The Web : Some web sites are wonderful, others are kind of dumb, and some contain so called "adult" images and other material children should avoid.

• Chat Rooms : Chat is probably the most dangerous area on the Internet.
  People are not always who they seem to be.

• E-Mail : Never send a photograph of yourself or any personal information to someone you don't know. E-mail can be easily copied and forwarded to others.

• Newsgroups, Forums and Bulletin Boards : In many cases, the act of posting something makes
  your E-Mail address public.

Basic Rules of Online Safety for Children

• Keep your identity private.

• Never get together with someone you "meet" online.

• Never respond to E-mail, Chat comments or Newsgroup messages that are hostile, belligerent, inappropriate, or in any way make you feel uncomfortable.

• Talk with your parents about their expectations and ground rules for going online.

Guidelines for Parents

• Talk with your children about what they can and cannot do online.

• Be open with your children and encourage them to come to you if they encounter a problem online.

• Learn everything you can about the Internet.

• Check out blocking, filtering and ratings.

• Remember that people online may not be who they seem. Because you can't see or hear the person it would be easy for the person to misrepresent him- or herself.
  When you allow your children to communicate over the Internet with a stranger, you are allowing that stranger into your home!

• Remember that everything you read online may not be true. An offer that is "too good to be true" probably is.

Educational Resource

A good interactive website for educating your children about the Internet and World Wide Web is : http://www.netsmartz.org/. This website is broken down into three age groups: Clicky, ages 5-7; NetSmartz, ages 8-12 and Webwatchers, ages 13-16. This website is sponsored by Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Compaq, and the
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Contacting the Internet Crimes Unit

If you have any concerns, would like further information or have a computer crime to report, contact Deputy Rick Richardson at the Hillsdale County Sheriff Department Internet Crimes Unit.