Keep Your Child Safe in Cyber Space

Thank you to Kristell Corpuz and Angela Kaiwikuamoohoihou, Community and Crime Prevention Specialists at the State of Hawaii Department of the Attorney General, for their presentation on internet safety held on January 25 for parents in the Mililani Complex Area.

Here are some parenting tips from the workshop...

1. Keep the computer in a common area and monitor your child's activities.
2. Create electronic equipment curfews.  No phones or computers in the bedrooms after bedtime.
3. Monitor your child's cell phone use and learn the text chat lingo.  (www.netlingo.com)
4. Never give out identifying information (name, address, school, phone, or picture).
5. Never respond to messages or postings that are suggestive, obscene, or harassing.
6. Computers can be turned on remotely.  Always cover or close computers with video capability.
7. Know the consequences of inappropriate behavior of phone or computer use:

• The laws made to protect our children include them!
• Production of pornography - 20 years in jail
• Dissemination of pornograpy - 10 years in jail or 5 years probation
• Possession (storage) of pornography - 5 years in jail or 5 years probation

Parents need to face the facts!

• 1 in 3 online teens has experienced online harassment.
• 9 out of 10 parents never know that any inappropriate contact has occurred.
• 1 in 5 teens (13-19) has sent or posted nude or semi-nude pictures of themselves.
• 45% of teens have been asked personal information from unknown people online.

Your best line of defense is communication with your child!  Talk to them about internet safety and your concerns.  Limit and monitor your child's time with internet devices.