Online Cyber Safety Tips for Kids

The Internet is a wonderful place to play games, research school projects and communicate with other kids. However, the Internet can also be dangerous for kids who aren't careful. Just like in the real world, you might meet unfriendly strangers and see pictures that make you feel uncomfortable. Follow important cyber safety tips to reduce your risk and maximize your online fun.

House Rules

Some of your parents' computer rules might include: never enter an online chat room, never take the family laptop to a place where an parent can't see the screen and never use your parents' credit card information to buy anything online. Your parents set these rules to keep you safe so follow them closely, recommends KidsHealth, part of the Nemours Foundation.

Personal Information

Never give out any personal information to Internet companies or online acquaintances, recommends the Pennsylvania attorney general. When you think "personal," you might only think of details, such as your name, address and phone number. However, even giving out the name of your school can give a dangerous person all the information he needs to locate you. Ask your parents if you're allowed to give out information to real-life family friends when you email back and forth.

Photos

Never post or send any photos of yourself, your friends or your family members without your parents' permission. Showing a stranger your photo is as dangerous as giving out personal information. Another risk of putting your photo online is that a dangerous person might edit your photos and post them on inappropriate websites, says the Pennsylvania Attorney General.

Passwords

Never give your passwords to anyone. Passwords are supposed to keep your computer and your files safe, so giving them out to friends---whether they're real-life or online---is like giving away your house key or announcing your home alarm code.

Meeting Online Friends

People on the Internet might not really be who they say they are. If you can't see or hear a person, he could pretend to be a 12-year-old girl but really be an older man, warns the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Always introduce your parents to new online friends and never agree to meet online friends face-to-face without your parents' permission. If you ever do meet an online friend in person, always bring a parent with you and only meet in a public place.

Gifts

Don't accept gifts from anyone on the Internet. A person offering you toys or money you might be trying to trick you into giving out personal information, warns the Pennsylvania Attorney General. Tell your parents if someone online is offering you a gift.