Parents Learn About Cybersafety at Saline Forum

Saline Area Schools  partnered with the  and Pittsfield Public Safety Department, the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office and the Washtenaw Area Council for Children to offer a presentation on cybersafety at 7 p.m. Wednesday at . The panel built on awareness about safety, cyber bullying, online predators, online privacy, sexting, as well as the laws surrounding the issues. 

Here's some of the advice shared by Julie Perea and Robin Batten, of the Washtenaw Area Council for Children.

Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying is bullying or harassment that happens online—potentially in front of the entire world. It might be a hurtful comment spread on a social networking or something spread over email or text messages.

Talk to your Kid. Your child needs to inderstand that messages make the target feel bad and can bring scorn from peers and punishment at school or from law authorities.

Report Threats of Violence. Law enforcement officials may be swamped, but if cyberbullying escalates to a threat of violence, contact police.

Don't Retaliate. If your child is targetted, do not feed the bully by responding. In many cases, that's exactly what they are looking for.

Block/Delete the Bully. If the bullying involves instant messaging or a social network site that requires a list of friends or buddies, delte the bully from the list and block them from future contact.

Watch for Signs. A victim of cyberbullying may suddenly stop using their phone or computer. They may appear nervous or anxious when the receive a text. They may become withdrawn. Their grades may slide and they make illness to avoid going to class. A bully may suddenly switch screens when someone enters the room. They may be constantly on the computer or phone. They may be angry when denied use of their phone. A bully may also have multiple accounts and screen names.

General Online Safety

Talk with your kids. As soon as your child begins using a computer or phone, you should begin talking to your child about what's important. Create and honest an open enviroment and initiate conversations about what your child is doing online. As children get older and more independent, be sure they know that not everything they see on Internet is true and that strangers on the Internet may not be who they claim to be. Make sure they understand consequences. Once it's out there, you can't take it back. 

Monitoring. When it comes to privacy, many parents will have different philosophies. Some parents review Internet history. Some parents do not let children have accounts unless they know passwords. Some parents do not allow children on social networking sites unless they are a "friend" and can monitor posts and comments.

Explore software and parental controls.  There are many products designed for cyber safety, including browsers for kids, software that limits a child's time they can access the internet, software that prevents kids from sending outgoing content, or filters and blocks that apply to websites, emial, chat and instant messaging. Some software will send a parent an alert whenever a child attempts to access a risky site.

Free Games. Avoid free games and promotions that ask for personal information.