Protect Your Children Online

This Article Is By Yahoo Safety

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  Create a user ID. To use many web sites, including some Yahoo! sites, you must first register. Learn how to create a safe online ID.
• Keep passwords private. If a password gets into the wrong hands, you could be locked out of your own account, fall victim to identity theft, or be subject to harassment. “Phishing” is a common ploy used to gain access to online accounts by trying to trick you into giving out your password and other personal information. Learn more about password ‘phishing’ scams. Yahoo! will never ask for a password or other personal information by email. Beware of fake emails that make such requests. Also, learn how to choose a password.
• Protect personal information. Teach your child about the importance of safeguarding his or her identity by not posting personal information online. Personal details such as last name, address, phone numbers, school name, date of birth, and photos can be used to identify a child or teenager in real life. To further protect personal information, learn about the role of web sites’ privacy policies.
• Beware of strangers. When chatting online, playing games, or posting messages, keep in mind that you never know the people you are communicating with. Your child should use caution when approached by someone unknown, just as in real life. Instruct your child to reject invitations from unknown users and never respond to email or instant messages that make him or her feel uncomfortable. And to tell a parent about any personal or sexual questions from a stranger online. Many Yahoo! services also allow you to block or ignore specific users. Choose a specific service to learn how to set up this blocking.
• Beware of requests for in-person meetings. Your child should never arrange a face-to-face meeting with an online acquaintance without involving you. The Internet can be a great way for your child to meet people with similar interests, but unfortunately, people are not always who they seem or say they are.
  
  
• Be aware of cyberbullying. Adults pose a risk to your child online, but so do other kids. Your child might receive unkind messages online from his or her peers. Or a classmate might pretend to be your child and post false information or unflattering photos on a web site. This is the online version of the bullying that goes on in kids’ real lives. As a parent, you should keep communication open with your child so that you can help out when such situations occur.

Most importantly, spend time with your child looking at web sites – it can offer a window into his or her interests, concerns, and ways of thinking. Enjoy this opportunity to have some fun together, while explaining what is and isn't appropriate behavior, and why. Make it enjoyable and productive time so that in the future, your child will feel comfortable sharing both good and bad online experiences with you.

Even if your child follows all of these precautions, he or she might still encounter inappropriate material or receive unpleasant messages from other users. If such inappropriate or sexually suggestive language, hate speech, or harassment occurs on Yahoo!, please report abuse to the service your child was using.