Get to know the Internet risks for kids What you can do if there are problems While the Internet is generally a positive place If your kids ever feel threatened or scared on for kids, the potential risks are very real. Educate the Internet, ask them to tell you immediately yourself and your family about online safety without fear of getting into trouble or losing issues and use the information in this brochure computer privileges. To help them manage to understand how you can manage or the situation, you need to understand what prevent them. is happening. • Exposure to adult, racist, or other disturbing Immediately report any threat to your family. Protect Your material. Children are curious and adventurous, If someone stalks, threatens, or continually and can stumble upon inappropriate content harasses your kids, or attempts to lure them Family while searching for something else, by clicking into face-to-face meetings for illicit purposes a link in an instant message or blog, or when (all of which are illegal), report it to: sharing fi les. • The local police. If the child is in immediate • Meeting predators online or in person. danger, call 911. Predators can use the Internet to fi nd vulner- • The CyberTipline at 800.843.5678 or at able children and approach them. Frequently www.cybertipline.com, which is hosted by their goal is to isolate the child and get them the National Center for Missing & Exploited to meet in person. Children and consolidates contact with all ap- • Invasion of privacy. Some businesses capture propriate law enforcement. personal information in registration or contest • Microsoft at [email protected] if it forms. Or children may volunteer personal involves abuse of a Microsoft service. info (including photos) to predators and other crooks in blogs, on personal Web pages, or Helpful Resources: when playing games. www.staysafe.org • Careless use of fi le-sharing (or peer-to-peer) www.microsoft.com/athome/security programs. Exchanging fi les with strangers is risky. It can lead to downloading pornography, viruses, or spyware. Some fi le-sharing programs can let other users access your computer any time it’s online. Internet Safety & Security

• Cyberbullying. Kids or adults may use the are all about you. Internet to harass or exploit other people. Kids sometimes broadcast bullying comments and embarrassing images in an instant message or blog, shaming a child in a way that’s largely invisible to parents or others online.

©2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. The information contained in this brochure is provided for educational and informational purposes only. Microsoft, MSN and the other sponsors of this resource make no representations that the suggestions and recommendations provided will prevent any harmful conduct to children, teens, or others. Microsoft, MSN, the MSN logo, Windows, Windows Live, Windows Vista, Xbox and Xbox Live are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. The names and logos of actual companies and prod- ucts mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective owners. The Internet is a playground to children, Keep personal information private • Stand up for yourself. If someone is mean or bullies perfect for exploration, learning and fun. As they Children should never reveal personal information you, ignore it. If they keep at it, block them from ® get older, it’s also where kids form social networks— online without permission. Personal information contacting or playing with you. (Xbox Live allows sending e-mail and instant messages, posting blogs, includes the facts: your child’s name, age, sex, phone this.) You may also be able to report them to the creating personal Web pages, fi nding music and number, address, school and favorite place to play. Web site. playing games. But it also includes information such as photos and • Respect the property of others. Copying and feelings. Predators look for expressions of vulnerability Many of the more social activities can develop healthy sharing music, games and other copyrighted – sadness, loneliness, anger. They also know how communication and personal expression. But they could downloads is piracy. Plagiarism and hacking into to use seemingly disconnected information to locate be the source of serious issues involving personal safety, computers are also illegal. a child. privacy, theft and computer security. • Consider a rule that your kids never reveal personal Use Family safety software Protecting your family on the Internet means information online unless you give permission. No one technology solution will suit every family, so understanding the risks, having clear guidance for explore different tools to help keep your children safe. healthy online behavior, talking openly and using • Help your child choose a screen name or e-mail technology where it can help. Here’s how: address that reveals nothing personal and isn’t Use family safety software to monitor and limit suggestive. For example, musicfan, but not • Talk with your kids about what they do online. your kids’ Internet use. This can be especially helpful john13 or sexysusie. for tweens and teens who may not want to talk about • Keep personal information private. • Make sure you understand who your kids are their online activities. You can get a comprehensive list sharing information with through instant messaging, • Set clear rules for Internet use. of popular tools for families at kids.getnetwise.org/tools. blogging sites and other social networks. • Use family safety software. Build strong computer defenses. Use a fi rewall, This brochure will help you understand online Set clear rules for Internet use keep your operating system current with the latest safety issues and offer helpful tips. For more specifi c As soon as your children begin to explore the Internet, security updates, and install antivirus and guidance, tools and resources, we suggest you visit consider the following rules for a safer experience: www.staysafe.org. antispyware software. • Never go alone to meet an Internet “friend” in person. They may not be who they say they are. Talk to your kids about what they do online Get to know the games your kids play, what they write • Restrict Internet access. Allow children to use the in their blogs and what chat rooms they visit. Read Internet only when you’re home. Young children their profi les on social networking sites. Talk with your don’t belong in chat rooms; teens should use only kids about Internet risks including sexual predators, moderated chats. inappropriate content and invasion of privacy, as well as • Do not open attachments, share music, or click their own behavior. Teach children to trust their instincts links in messages from strangers. You could be and to tell you at once if they feel threatened or scared. opening a virus, or downloading bad software or • Let your kids teach you. Ask them to show you a disturbing image. what they’re doing and who they’re meeting online. • Treat others as you want to be treated. Nasty • Put Internet-connected computers and gaming comments are rude and wrong. Bullying online is a devices in the family room or another central crime that might even land you in jail if taken too far. location, not in a bedroom.