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The internet is a valuable tool used everyday for
education, entertainment and business. Teenagers and
children have always been fascinated by the tools of technology,
including computers, cell phones, iPods, etc. These
mediums, however, are also being used by those that want to harm
our children and teenagers.
Law enforcement agents tell us that the most effective
protection from internet predators is the involvement of caring,
informed parents. Below are some steps you can take to
protect your family. |
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Teach them your values!
Start at an early age showing them the importance of
respect for themselves and other people. Teach them that
they are loved deeply, by God and by you. |
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StayDon't just drop them at events---go with them,
volunteer at their school functions, get to know their friends,
find time often to play together, laugh together, share
the good things and bad things that happen in both of your
lives. |
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Use filters and blocks
Here are some suggestions (there are many):
www.bsecure.com - filter to protect children from
unsuitable material
www.spectorsoft.com and www.guardiansoftware.com
- monitoring software
www.keykatcher.com - hardware that secretly captures all
keystrokes including passwords |
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Protect their cell phones
www.mymobilewatchdog.com
- blocks unknown people from calling, texting or emailing (does
not prevent inappropriate web browsing) |
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Find good security software
www.monitoringsoftwarereviews.org
www.parentalcontrolsoftwareguide.info |
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Visit other helpful sites
www.netsmartz.org - informative (and fun) interactive site
for kids, parents, educators and law enforcement
www.ncmec.org
- National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
PBS Growing Up Online - info on life online, predators,
social networking, cyber bullying, exploitation
www.familywatchdog.us
- find out where registered sex offenders live in your
neighborhood
Mississippi
Sex Offender Registry |
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Know the lingo
www.netlingo.com -
chat and computer terms, definitions, slang, acronyms (Example:
pos - parent over shoulder)
Yes, they really don't want parents or adults watching as
they chat, text or surf! You need to know the language,
stay close, give them liberal doses of time and love,
teach them to respect themselves and others, and then protect
them when they are online! |
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