Online Safety Tips

The new school year means increased computer use and more time online. While the Internet contains a wealth of educational and social opportunities for kids, the Texas Cable Industry has teamed up with the Attorney General's office to educate parents and children about the dangers posed by Internet predators.

Cyber Safety on-demand video

Recently, the Texas Cable Association joined with Attorney General Greg Abbott and the Internet Safety Coalition to launch an "On-Demand" Cyber Safety Video that is aimed at protecting children and educating parents about the dangers facing children on the Internet. This video is part of cable's continued commitment to helping parents manage the media coming into their home - whether over television or the Internet - and to ensure its appropriateness for children.

Texas cable operators have made the video available to their subscribers through on-demand cable services across Texas. Texans with this service can access programs at their convenience and pause, rewind and fast forward them. Texas cable customers should check their local listings or call their cable provider for more details. In addition to being accessible through cable networks' on-demand services, the video is available on the Attorney General's Web site, located at www. texasattorneygeneral.gov.

According to the launch release, since 2003, the Attorney General's Fugitive Unit and the Cyber Crimes Unit, which protects children from online sexual exploitation, have arrested 33 men for using the Internet and maintaining online social networking accounts in violation of their parole.

Cyber Safety Risks and Tips*

The three main risks associated with all connected technology are:

•Inappropriate Contact. Teach kids how to recognize and protect themselves against contact with cyber-bullies, hackers, phishers, and predators. People aren't always who they say they are. Teach kids to keep away from Internet strangers: the Internet is a place to enhance existing relationships, not a place to meet new people.

•Inappropriate Content. This includes both content that is viewed and content that is uploaded by kids. Help kids understand that the Internet is forever: everything they post online is tracked and stored and will follow them to future job interviews and college entrance interviews.

•Inappropriate Conduct. Because the web environment can feel anonymous, some youth become dis-inhibited. Teach kids that the Internet is a public forum: anonymity is a myth. Help them be the good person online that they are when they're off line.

Once children understand these core risks, three simple guidelines will help parents provide a safe and healthy experience online:

•Keep Current with technology. You don't have to be an expert, but a little understanding goes a long way towards keeping your child safe online. Get basic technical training and learn about new products as they're released.

•Keep Checking your children's Internet activity. Know where they go online. Let them know that you'll keep checking because you want them to understand that the Internet is a public forum and never truly private.

•Keep Communicating with your children about everything they experience on the Internet. Know their lingo, and ask when you don't understand something. Work to keep communication lines open.

*Information provided by the Internet Safety Coalition.