INTERNET
SAFETY TIPS
FOR CHILDREN

• Tell your friends and family if you do not want to have pictures of you posted online or prefer to be asked first.
• Think before you act online. It is easier to be mean since you’re no longer face-to-face. Be aware that the tone or intention of comments you use online can easily be misunderstood.
• Don’t use bad language or curse words online. There is a record of what you say and do online.
• Remember that anyone’s online profile can be different from real-life. Since anyone can control how much they share on the internet, people can lie about who they are.
• If something someone says to you makes you feel uncomfortable, tell a trusted adult and/or show them the message you received.

Respecting the Work of Others

• Do not engage in plagiarism or piracy. Use the copyright guidelines below when referring to the work of others.
  • Plagiarism means using someone else’s ideas or words without crediting the source and pretending they’re your own.
  • Piracy is a form of stealing. Illegally downloading and sharing music, movies, and software are forms of piracy.
• The creative work of others is protected by ”copyright.” This is a law that protects the work someone creates and requires other people to get the creator’s permission before they use or share that work. To use copyrighted work, you must:
  • Check who owns it
  • Get permission to use it or buy it (if necessary)
  • Give credit to the creator
  • Use it responsibly
• Remember to be respectful of others’ hard work and always always cite references (give credit) for research, facts/statistics that you include in your work. You can search online for directions about how to site text, video and web-based resources. Here is how to do a website citation and a few examples:
  • Author last name, author first name. “Article title.” Website title. Publisher or website name, date accessed.
  • Unknown author. “How to Cite Sources.” Wikihow. Wikihow, October 8, 2018.

Keeping Your Information Safe

• Digital security refers to keeping us, our information, and our digital devices secure from outside threats.  Online security risks can include:
  • Phishing and/or Clickbaiting: Phony emails, messages or links to fake websites that people use to trick others into giving out personal and financial information.
  • Viruses and spyware:  Be careful when downloading items and opening email attachments.
• Create strong passwords for your accounts and do not share them with others.
• Do not post online sensitive information like names, addresses, phone numbers, or personal ID numbers.

Last updated October 2019