Oct. 10 Crime Prevention Tip: Internet Safety

Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott declared the month of October Crime Prevention Month. The sheriff's department will provide citizens with daily tips for preventing crime. The tips for Oct. 10 are about Internet safety.

Sheriff Leon Lott states that in today’s world, the Internet is part of our way of life. It is a powerful tool, but it can be dangerous. We must protect ourselves and especially our children. 

At every age, children require protection and guidance. With Internet access so readily available at home, school and the local library, parents must be extra vigilant to know what is happening in their children’s lives on the Internet and off. I am committed to helping you and ask that you talk with your children about protecting themselves and about the predators that are out there. 

The Richland County Sheriff’s Department can provide you with additional information on protecting your children. Please call us at (803) 576-3118 or go to our website at www.rcsd.net—our website has child-friendly links and safety information for citizens of all ages.

• Do not give out personal information such as your address, telephone number, parents’ work address/telephone number, or the name and location of your school without your parents’ permission. 
• Tell your parents right away if you come across any information that makes you feel uncomfortable. 
• Never agree to get together with someone you “meet" online without first checking with your parents. If your parents agree to the meeting, make sure that it is in a public place and bring your mother or father along. 
• Never send a person your picture or anything else without first checking with your parents.
• Do not respond to any messages that are mean or in any way make you feel uncomfortable. If you do, tell your parents right away so that they can contact the service provider.
• Do not give out your Internet password to anyone (even your best friends) other than your parents.
• Check with your parents before downloading or installing software or doing anything that could possibly hurt your computer or jeopardize your family’s privacy.

What Parents Need to Know about Internet Safety

• Use filtering or parental control technologies. Block everything that is not pre-approved rather than just filtering out the “bad” sites.
• Bookmark their favorite websites so they will not mistype them and end up at a “bad” site.
• Use kid-sized search engines.
• Limit their online time.
• Check with their teachers often for suggested Web sites and for recommendations for good resources online.
• Sit down with your children as often as possible and find out where they go online, what they like, and ask or answer any questions.
• Tell them to get your permission before posting any content, including profiles and blogs, to a website or sending it via email or IM.
• Make sure only pre-approved senders can send your child an IM.
• Use a pop-up blocker or toolbar, an antivirus program, and a spyware remover.
• Make sure that your children understand what information can and can’t be shared online with anyone. 
• Make sure they can’t share pictures online, set up profiles or blogs or webcams without your approval.
• Google their name, screen names, address, and telephone numbers at least once a week. Many kids post nasty things about others 

The 4 R’s of the Internet

Recognize – deceptive ways

Refuse – to give personal info

Respond – assertively

Report – dangerous contact

Tips

• Keep your profile anonymous.
• Guard personal information.
• Make your username generic.
• Don’t open email from strangers.
• Don’t post your picture. Your friends already know what you look like.
• Stay clear of inappropriate sites.
• People are not always who they say they are.