Click on the file at right for helpful information on talking to your children about sexual abuse and sexual predators. Also included are fact sheets on child sexual abuse and child pornography.

Keeping Kids Safe on the Internet

Youth Ministries staff at First Baptist hosted a discussion on Internet Safety for parents and other concerned adults in October 2006. Below are some of the recommendations and resources covered at that program. For more information, contact Youth Pastor Shawn Koonce at shawnk@firstmedina.org .

1. COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR TEEN ABOUT...

A.   WHERE THEY CAN GO

b.      Time Limits (IM, Site updates, email...)

c.      Where they are “hanging out” online

d.      What they post online

e.      Who they’re “hanging out” with online

2.       Install filters (http://internet-filter-review.toptenreviews.com/)

a.      Firefox

b.      wisechoice.net

c.      ContentProtect

d.      Cyber Sitter

e.      Net Nanny

3.       Go Cyber

a.      Look at “History” of sites visited

b.      Check out their sites

                                                              i.      Go to the home page of the site you want to look at.  www.myspace.com; www.xanga.com; www.facebook.com ….

Others:  hi5.com,  blogger.com,  friendster.com,  deardiary.com

                                                             ii.      Register for Free as a user

1.      User name (usually a valid email address)

2.      Password

3.      You will be given your own space online, but you don’t need to use it

                                                           iii.      Search sites by Geographic area, for certain names or emails, by groups or a number of other ways

                                                          iv.      Once you find a find a friend it is very easy to move in and around circles by clicking on each person’s picture (profile).

c.      Take time to read without reacting

                                                              i.      Most of what you read is true, but sometimes it is just a front

                                                             ii.      Don’t just look at what youR child is writing, but also at what others are saying as well

d.      Pay attention to what you read and make note of anything that you are concerned about.  Print it out if need be as things tend to “disappear” online.

4.       Be consistent

a.      Check weekly

b.      Check the “registry” if you suspect foul play

5.       Location, Location, Location

a.      Put computer in a well trafficked room in the house where anyone walking by can see

b.      Bedrooms, basements and other ultra private areas are open doors to the ugly side of the web

c.      Buy headphones if they are having a hard time concentrating

More serious measures for repeat offenders: 

BeNetSafe ($10 monthly / $50 Yearly)

Myspacewatch.com

safespacers.com

Safe Eyes 2006 ($50 yearly)