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Some tips on how to protect your children:
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Become computer literate and learn how to block
objectionable material.
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Keep the computer in a common area, not in individual
bedrooms, where you can watch and monitor its use.
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Share an email account with your child so you can monitor
messages.
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Bookmark kids' favorite sites for easy access.
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Spend time online together to teach your kids appropriate
online behavior.
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Forbid your child from entering private chat rooms; block
them with safety features provided by your Internet service provider or with
special filtering software. Be aware that posting messages to chat rooms
reveals a user's email address to others.
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Monitor your credit card and phone bills for unfamiliar
account charges.
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Find out what, if any, online protection is offered by your
child's school, after-school center, friends' homes, or anyplace where kids
could use a computer without your supervision.
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Take your child seriously if he or she reports an
uncomfortable online exchange.
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Forward copies of obscene or threatening messages you or
your kids get to your Internet service provider.
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Call the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
at (800) 843-5678 if you're aware of the transmission, use, or viewing of
child pornography online.
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Contact your local law enforcement agency or the FBI if your
child has received child pornography via the Internet.
General safety tips:
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DO NOT use or have email addresses or screen names that
identify your age, gender, or interests.
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NEVER divulge personal information such as age, home
address, schools, etc.
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NEVER post pictures of yourself
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DISABLE saving or storing "cookies" in your browser
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