The Internet has many outstanding educational uses, but it does have a dark side that we must be prepared for.
Some of the dark side elements include:

  • Harassment
  • Stalking
  • Hacking
  • Hate crimes and recruiting  members for hate organizations
  • Theft and Fraud
If you suspect a crime has occurred, get the police involved as soon as possible so you don't taint the crime scene.

Update your antivirus safety net often.  If you have high speed Internet access at home, you need a firewall!

Keep your passwords secure and obscure (8 characters with letters and numbers).

Teach Internet Stranger Danger rules to children:

  • Never give out personal information like your name, home address, school name, or telephone number.
  • Never send a picture of yourself without first checking with an adult. 
  • Be careful when someone offers you something for nothing like gifts or money.
  • Never arrange a face to face meeting with someone you met on the Internet without telling an adult.
  • Remember that people online may not be who they say they are.
  • If you come across any information that makes you feel uncomfortable, tell an adult.

Internet Sites

Safety Guides
Safety tips on the Internet from the FBI - provides information for parents and children about the dangers of the Internet.
Parent's Guide to Internet Safety - the FBI provides information for parents about Internet safety.
Get Netwise - has a safety guide, information on how to report trouble, tools, and more. 
Web Awareness - provides information for parents and teachers about protecting students on the Internet.
Are you a Good Netizen - a quiz discussing ethical and legal issues for students.  Good for meeting the Technology Standards on social, ethical, and human issues.
WiredPatrol - a site about using the Internet safely
Kids and the Internet - safety tips from the Arizona Attorney General
Safekids - provides tips and ideas for using the Internet safely, including a song.
Safe & Smart - the National School Boards Foundation provides research and guidelines for children's use of the Internet

Legal Sites
Sex Offender Site - lists sex offenders in a zip code range.
10 Myths about Copyright Laws -  provides information on the most common misconceptions about copyright laws and a link to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act 

Tools
Sam Spade - numerous tools for cybersleuthing

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