Don’t Let Your Child Become a Victim of Internet or Cell Phone Misuse




11 Home Internet and Cell Phone Safety Tips:
  1. Monitor your child’s phone and Internet use.
  2. Remind your child to stay alert when using digital media and to be careful who they trust online.
  3. Ask your child what they know about the term “sexting,” the sharing of illicit photos by cell phone.
  4. Explain to your child that possessing or distributing illicit photos or images, even if it is of themselves, to anyone can result in serious penalties.
  5. Tell your child that everything sent over the Internet or a cell phone can be shared with the entire world, so it is important they use good judgment in sending messages and pictures and set privacy settings on social media sites accordingly.
  6. Let your child know that if an illicit photo arrives on their phone to not send it to anyone else and that they should immediately talk to a parent or trusted adult.
  7. Keep up-to-date with possible sexual predators in your area and ensure that your children know the risks. Inform your children not to talk to strangers and to never let strangers into the house.
  8. Keep the computer in a public part of your home, such as the family room or kitchen, so that you can check on what your child is doing online and how much time they are spending there.
  9. Set time limits for Internet and cell phone use.
  10. Periodically check chat logs, e-mails, files and social networking profiles for inappropriate content, friends, messages, and images.
  11. Be proactive if a situation arises and notify school and law enforcement agencies immediately.




Sex Offender E-mail Alerts:
This year, Assemblyman Gary Finch passed legislation that will help keep New York’s children safe by providing families with up-to-date information on whether a Level 2 or 3 sex offender has moved into their community. E-mail updates will be provided free of charge by the Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS).

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E-mail alerts will become available in the spring of 2010. For more information about the program or to receive assistance in signing up for these alerts, contact Assemblyman Gary Finch’s office.

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