Helpful Tips

• Never give out identifying information-- home address, school name, or telephone number-- in a public message such as chat or bulletin boards, and be sure you're dealing with someone that both you and your child know and trust before giving it out via E-mail. Think carefully before revealing any personal information such as age, marital status, or financial information. Consider using a pseudonym or unlisting your child's name if your service allows it.
• Get to know the services your child uses. If you don't know how to log on, get your child to show you. Find out what types of information it offers and whether there are ways for parents to block out objectionable material.
• Never allow a child to arrange a face-to-face meeting with another computer user without parental permission. If a meeting is arranged, make the first one in a public spot, and be sure to accompany your child.
•  Never respond to messages or bulletin board items that are suggestive, obscene, belligerent, threatening, or make you feel uncomfortable. Encourage your children to tell you if they encounters such messages. If you or your child receives a message that is harassing, of a sexual nature, or threatening, forward a copy of the message to your service provider and ask for their assistance.

Some activities that involve online Child Sexual Exploitation:

• Online arrangements are made for the exchange of Sexually Exploitative Materials (child pornography). The actual exchange or delivery may occur via the mail, e-mail, IRC, FTP and other electronic means, or even hand-to-hand exchanges. Adults seeking sexual access to children will make arrangements with other adults willing to trade and/or provide children for sexual purposes.
• Adult predators seeking sexual contact with children may establish 'friendships' with children online. Having 'befriended' a child online, the predator will then attempt to arrange a face-to-face meeting with the child for the purpose of sexual contact.