Protecting Your Child’s Privacy Online

The Internet Can Be Educational

he Internet is a great place for kids to learn and increase their knowledge.
Going online, kids can:

• Learn fun facts
• Gather information to write reports
• Do homework
• Learn about the universe
• Discover history
• See places around the world
• Play online games

Unfortunately, “this information superhighway” can be trouble.  Kids can easily
expose themselves and their families to identity theft. A simple click in the wrong place on the Web could:

• Lead to a loss of their innocence
• Result in physical harm from a child stalker
• Result in stolen personal data that could jeopardize their financial and personal safety.
   

Make the Internet a Family Affair

Before you let them go online, set some rules and guidelines and then talk to your kids.  Let them know that there are dangers in the online world, that they can't trust everyone they meet online and that they will have to make wise decisions concerning their online habits.

As a parent, some specific things you can do is:

1. When they first go online, surf the Internet with them.
2. Explain that they should never give personal information on a Web site without first getting your permission.
3. Explain that Personal information includes names, phone numbers, addresses, age or birth date, interests or hobbies, passwords and credit card numbers.
4. Make them aware that providing personal information to the wrong person is very dangerous.
    

What You Can Do To Help Keep Your Kids Information Private

1. Before giving out any personal information on a website, look for the website's Privacy Policy and see what it says.
2. Look for the part that states how the site will use and protect the personal information that it collects.
3. Make sure you trust the site before you let your child give out any of their information or spend time on the site.
4. Be aware that federal law requires that Web sites have a parent’s permission before collecting any personal information from children under 13 years.
5. You can give your consent for a site to collect personal information on your child but still say “no” to allowing the site to share that information with a third party.

More About Online Privacy and Safety For Kids

• Kidz Privacy Web page
  The Federal Trade Commission has information on online privacy for parents, teachers and kids on their
  http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/edcams/kidzprivacy/
• Consumer Privacy Guide
  The Center for Democracy and Technology, in conjunction with a group of non-profit privacy organizations, has information on kids’ privacy in their online
  http://www.consumerprivacyguide.com/kids/
• Teenangels
  A group of teenage volunteers who have had special training.  They run programs in schools on responsible and safe Internet surfing for younger kids, parents and teachers. Their Web site has information for kids, teens, and parents.
  www.teenangels.org
• Wired Safety
  An Internet safety, help and education organization, has information to help people of all ages with things that can go wrong online.
  www.wiredsafety.org
   

Additional Resources

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