Whatever your age, the Internet is a great place to hang out. It’s not only fun, but it lets you keep in touch with friends and family and provides an enormous amount of information.
If you’re the parent or guardian of a teenager, you may feel teens don’t need the same restrictions and controls as younger kids. You may be right, but just because they’re older doesn’t mean they’re out of danger. Teenagers are actually more likely to get into trouble online than younger children. Teens are more likely to explore; they’re more likely to reach out to others besides their peers; and, sadly, they’re more often preyed upon as victims by child molesters and other exploiters.
“House pledges” or “acceptable-use policies” can help provide clear guidelines for safer Internet use. NetSmartz recommends using the “Internet Safety Pledge” to promote safety discussions and create safer boundaries. The pledges correspond with pictures of the NetSmartz villains for their age group. This will assist children in remembering the Internet safety principles even if they are not able to read the words of the pledge.
Clear, simple, easy-to-read house rules should be posted on or near the monitor. Create your own computer rules or print the Internet safety pledge. The pledge can be signed by adults and children and should be periodically reviewed.
Grades K-2
Internet Safety Pledge
- I will turn off my computer monitor right away and tell a trusted adult if anything makes me feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused.
- I will tell my parents or guardian if anyone online asks me my name, my address, my telephone number, or the name and location of my school.
- I will tell my parents or guardian if anyone online asks to meet me in person.
- I will not use rude or mean language on the Internet.
Real World Safety Pledge
- I will check first with my parents, guardians, or other trusted adults before going anywhere, helping anyone, accepting anything, getting into a car, or leaving with anyone.
- I will take a friend with me when going places or playing outside.
- I will tell people “NO” if they try to touch me or do things in ways that make me feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused, because it’s OK for me to stand up for myself.
- I will tell my parents, guardians, or other trusted adults if anything happens to me.
Grades 3 – 6
Internet Safety Pledge
- I will talk with my parents or guardian so that we can set up rules for going online. The rules will include the time of day I may be online, the length of time I may be online, whom I may communicate with while online, and appropriate areas for me to visit while online. I will not break these rules or access other areas without their permission.
- I will tell a trusted adult if I come across anything that makes me feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused. I will not download anything from anyone without permission from my parents or guardian.
- I will never share personal information such as my address, my telephone number, my parents’ or guardian’s work address/telephone number, or the name and location of my school without my parents’ or guardian’s permission.
- I will never respond to any messages that are mean or in any way make me feel uncomfortable. If I do get a message like that, I will tell a trusted adult right away so that he or she can contact the online service. And I will not send those kinds of messages.
- I will never meet in person with anyone I have first “met” online without checking with my parents or guardian. If my parents or guardian agrees to the meeting, it will be in a public place and my parents or guardian must come along.
Real World Safety Pledge
- I will check first with my parents, guardians, or other trusted adults before going anywhere, helping anyone, accepting anything, getting into a car, or leaving with anyone. I will remember to check first with a trusted adult if I decide to change my plans and if someone needs my help or offers me anything.
- I will take a friend with me when going to the store, movie theatre, public restrooms, playing at the park or playground, or walking to and from school. By sticking together with my friend, we can help look out for each other if one of us is in danger or gets hurt.
- I will tell people “NO” if they try to touch me or do things in ways that make me feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused, because it’s OK for me to stand up for myself. If someone tries to touch me in a way that bothers me I will scream “NO” in a loud voice and then run away from that person and tell a trusted adult.
- I will tell my parents, guardians, or other trusted adults if anything happens to me. Trusted adults are people who respect my opinions, ideas and feelings. Trusted adults will listen and help me work out a solution to any problem I may have. I will tell a trusted adult when something is bothering me or when a problem becomes too big for me to handle.
Middle and High School
Internet Safety Pledge
- I will talk with my parents or guardian about their expectations and ground rules for going online
- I will keep my identity private
- I will never respond to any online communication that makes me feel uncomfortable
- I will never meet in person with anyone i have first “met” online without discussing it with my parents or guardian
- I will respect other people’s rights while online
Real World Safety Pledge
- I will take someone with me wherever i go.
- I will tell a trusted adult where i am going at all times.
- I have the right to say “no.”
- I will tell a trusted adult if i feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused.
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