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Steps to Protect Your Child |
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The only real way to protect your child is to be proactive. |
Here are steps that both you and your child can take to protect themselves from online predators, identity thieves, and themselves.
The only real way to protect your child is to be proactive. Children should… block people from posting to their space – yes any registered user can post to any space. modify their images to distort their features or replace them with something else. not participate in rating other’s spaces – your words will never leave. not post personal information. say they are under 16 if they are. – this provides additional MySpace safeguards. cancel their account if they are under 14 Parents should… become computer literate – take an online course on Protecting Your Child’s Futureactively monitor your child’s computer use. teach your child about online risks and the danger of posting personal information. tell your child not to respond to instant messages or emails from strangers. find out whether your child has a MySpace or other virtual hangout site and view that site if necessary contact MySpace to have your child’s site removed. insure that your child chooses gender-neutral screen names that are not sexually suggestive or contain personal information. make sure your child never uses their login name in a chat room or forum. most importantly be vigilant and act on your suspicions |
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