How savvy are you when it comes to texting? Do you know the code? Your kids do I bet!

[debby...@meeville.com]

Your kids can fill in the blanks. Can you?
LOL:

BRB:

MUSM:

A/S/L:

BF:

TAW:

SN:

POS:

WTGP:

LMIRL:

laughing out loud

__ _____ ____

___ ___ __ ____

___, ___, ________

_________

________ ___ ________

__________?

______ ____ ________

____ __ __ _______?

_____ ____ __ ____ ____

ANSWERS LOL: laughing out loud BRB: be right back MUSM: miss you so
much A/S/L: age, sex, location BF: boyfriend TAW: teachers are
watching SN: screenname? POS: parent over shoulder WTGP: want to go
private? LMIRL: let’s meet in real life

The Internet is an invaluable tool, but there are serious dangers that
need to be discussed.

Online sexual predators: They may be anyone. The Internet allows
people to remain anonymous and does not prevent adults from lying
about their age or intentions.

Online sexual solicitation: Unprovoked, uninvited, or unwanted
requests to engage in sexual activities, engage in sexually explicit
conversations, or give personal sexual information.

It’s important to educate your children and teach them how to better
protect themselves. The best way to help protect your children is by
being involved and talking to them. Feel free to use the acronym quiz
on the front as a starting point.

Protect Your Child’s Online Life

* Prepare your children for the online world just as you would for
the real world.
o Establish guidelines and rules.
o Know who communicates with your children.

* Learn about the Internet.
o Familiarize yourself with the programs your children are
using.
o Consider using Internet filters or blocks.

* Place the family’s computer in a common room, where supervision
and guidelines are more easily observed and met.

* Talk about the benefits and dangers on the Internet and help
your children make smart decisions while online. This is just as
important as limiting your children’s computer time when it comes to
safeguarding them while online.

* Explain to your children instant messaging (IM) is only for
chatting with school and family friends they know by face and are
approved by you. And go over your children’s IM “chat list” with them.
Make sure they are able to put a face to every screenname on the list.

When communicating online

* Tell your children not to write anything they wouldn’t say in
public

* Reinforce people are not always who they say they are when
communicating online

* Make sure your children know how dangerous it is to give out
personal information such as their name, mailing address, or e-mail
address

* Stress the fact it is not safe to get together with someone they
first “meet” online

How to Notice and Address a Problem

* Be sensitive to any changes in your child’s behavior or attitude

* Be on the lookout for unknown telephone numbers on your bill or
your child’s cellular telephone bill and unexplained gifts your child
has received

* Show concern, listen compassionately, and remain calm if your
children share any distressing incidents they have encountered while
online

* Don’t judge your children or threaten to remove their Internet
privileges

* Use the incident to discuss safety rules and reinforce the fact
people are not always who they seem to be online

HELP DELETE ONLINE PREDATORS

Report any disturbing incidents by giving the screenname or e-mail
address and any other information known about the online sexual
perpetrator to your Internet service provider, local law enforcement,
and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s www.cybertipline®.com.

The majority of children who use the Internet do not get into serious
trouble. The Internet is a wonderful tool, but like anything else you
need to be careful when using it.

To learn more about Internet guidelines please visit www.cybertipline®.com
and www.NetSmartz®.org or call 1-800-THE-LOST® (1-800-843-5678).

This project was supported by Grant No. 2007-MC-CX-K001 awarded by the
Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office of
Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Points of view or
opinions in this document are those of the author and do not
necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S.
Department of Justice. National Center for Missing & Exploited
Children®, 1-800-THE-LOST®, CyberTipline®, and NetSmartz® are
registered service marks of the National Center for Missing &
Exploited Children. Printed on recycled paper. NCMEC Order #136.