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Safe Surfing on the Internet



Find out more about safe surfing from the organizations below. (Note: This page includes commercial sites. Inclusion of any external organization is done as a courtesy. Safer Child has not investigated these organizations, and inclusion on this page does not necessarily represent Safer Child support):
Why Should You Worry?
Be Involved
You Are Your Child's Best Censor
Chat Rooms, Internet Stalkers
Cybercensors
Internet Sites for Older Children and Teens
Internet Sites for Younger Children

Why should you worry? -- Let's face it. It's never been easier for a dangerous person to reach your child and dig his claws into your lives. The Internet is a wonderful place, but the anonymity of it can be a tool, used with great precision by those who would do your family harm.

The Internet doesn't just contain pornography that your child might find, although that's bad enough. It might also host dangerous strangers who can lure your child away. It can contain recipes for cooking methamphetamine, a frightening addictive drug, and it can point your child to bombs, guns, hate groups, pedophiles, and dangerous products. There are several Web sites that promote self-destructive habits, such as eating disorders. And of course, if your child is on the Internet, your child isn't reading, walking, playing, getting fresh air, or communicating with you.

Be Involved! -- Our best advice to parents is to be actively involved in children's lives and know what they're up to. Keep a close watch over their Web activity and don't allow children to scare you off with complaints about privacy. Dangerous people depend and thrive on your child's privacy. One of the greatest advantages a dangerous person gains over your child is when he has your child alone and away from your protection. Allowing a child to surf without supervision can provide a dangerous person with that advantage he seeks - even before the child leaves your house.

Safer Child highly recommends consistently telling and showing your children - even while still toddlers - that they are beautiful and capable people who mean the world to you, whose company you enjoy and whose opinion you value. We believe that such ongoing affirmation of their self-worth will go a long way toward preventing dangerous Internet behavior as teen-agers.

You are your child's best censor! -- There are Internet filtering devices available. The National Coalition for the Protection of Children and Families reviews Internet filtering devices on its site FilterReview.com -- and also includes customer comments. Bear in mind that what you consider to be unacceptable content might not match what the software authors consider unacceptable. Buy carefully. And remember: Parents are their child's best censor.

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Chat Rooms, Internet Stalkers:

	National Center for Missing and Exploited Children - CyperTipLine: 1-800-843-5678 The "NCMEC, in partnership with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Customs Service, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, serves as the national CyberTipline and as the national Child Pornography Tipline 1-800-843-5678."
	Federal Bureau of Investigation - help with cyberstalkers and Internet fraud
	Federal Trade Commission - (written for children) - how to stay safe on the Internet
	GetNetWise.org - safety tips from a consortium of "Internet industry corporations and public interest organizations."
	Child Lures - draw up an Internet Safety pact with your child.
	CyberAngels – a non-profit group that helps online harassment victims and provides educational information, and assistance with stalkers.
	WiredPatrol - guidance on online dangers
	KidsHealth - list of signs an online predator may be targeting your child, along with tips on protecting your child.

Women Halting Online Abuse - offers advice, emotional support and educational information.

	National Center for Victims of Crime – provides advocacy for victims, as well as assistance in navigating the justice process and counseling referrals.
	Privacy Rights Clearinghouse – nonprofit consumer group that provides helpful information on protecting your privacy online.
	Online Privacy Alliance – Sponsored by the Internet industry, this group offers tips on preventing and dealing with cyberstalking.
	Childnet International -- (and its Web site on the dangers of chat rooms: Chatdanger.com)
	Web Wise Kids

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Cybercensors:

	Cyber Patrol
	Cybersitter
	iPrism
	iWatch
	Net Nanny
	Software4Parents - internet filtering and monitoring software. Includes a program called X-Detect - a "test" for the computer that detects violent/adult browsing within the past 30 days
	SurfControl
	We-Blocker
	Spy-Patrol.com
	SafetySurf.com
	SoftActivity.com - remote computer monitoring
	IProtectYou and IRejectTrash - internet filtering software and advertisement blocking software
	ContentWatch

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Safer Child, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization with federal tax-exempt status. Please note: 1) External organizations listed herein do not necessarily endorse Safer Child positions, nor do we necessarily endorse theirs. We list them as a courtesy and aren't responsible for their accuracy, completeness or content. 2) We recommend you maintain a healthy skepticism when reviewing information on the Internet; it might appear to be reliable -- yet actually be false, misleading, incomplete, out-of-date and/or intentionally harmful. 3) There might be material on the Internet that you disagree with or find objectionable; preview all sites before viewing them with your child. 4) We are not responsible for external addresses/phone numbers changing without our knowledge. 5) The information and commentary on this site are not substitutes for professional advice from your doctor, lawyer, or mental health professional. 6) Requests for permission to republish, copy and/or distribute any material found on this Web site should be directed to Safer Child, Inc.

This Web site is supported by donated services from SISNA of Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho,

and has received a grant from the Wendell P. & Barbara J. Marshall Family Trust in the Idaho Community Foundation.

Safer Child is also supported by Time4Learning.com, online education from preschool through middle school,
and LockSAF, makers of a storage device that keeps valuables safe through the use of fingerprinting technology.