Parents,

The internet is a vast and ever-growing world. While it offers many advantages, it also comes with many dangers. Dangers such as fraud, identity theft, monetary theft, cyber-stalking, cyber-bullying, and many many others. But today, we want to warn you about the dangers your Child may be surfing into on purpose...

Teenagers/Children are very curious, and they hear other Teenagers/Children talking about lots of places on the internet that peek their interests. Children do not automatically feel a sense of physical danger from the virtual world. There are thousands of websites that allow ANYONE, no matter their age, to chat with adults and anyone around the world, or across the street. Instant Messaging, Video Messaging, Video Calling, or Text Messaging. This all happens without any special programs. All they need is the internet and ANY device that connects to Wi-Fi.

There are a lot of people on the internet that try to solicit Teenagers and Young Children to send inappropriate photos of themselves. Sometimes these perpetrators pretend to be other Children, and sometimes they may even send inappropriate photos to the Children. And sometimes, these perpetrators may even try to get the Children to meet them someplace and abduct them.

And then, there are times when it is just other Teenagers/Children they know from school or someplace else... And they may hear how much fun other people are having on a specific website or App, and they choose to join in. Some Children may even get up in the middle of the night just to join in a chat group or do something they know their parents would not approve of.

The Peru Community Schools Technology Department wants to warn parents about trends we are seeing in online activity. These trends are only growing. And Children need to be equipped with the skill of self-restraint. Self-Control is the best defense against these dangers. But they can only hone this skill with the help of their Parents.

· Do you talk to your Teenager/Child about practicing self-control online?

· Do you monitor what your Teenager/Child does online?

· Do you allow them to keep their phone or laptop in their bedroom after bedtime?

· Do you know how long they spend on the internet?

· Are you aware of where they go online?

· Do you limit the amount of time they spend online?

· Do you limit the amount of time they spend on Technology Devices?

The most important thing you can do for your Teenager/Child to help combat this danger is talk to them often about their choices and online activity. Stay aware of where they go and what they do online. Children these days know how to clear/delete their browsing history. So you cannot just rely on their internet history. You may want to pop into their bedroom and check on them. And look for signs.

Some common signs they may be hiding something from you or experiencing dangers online are:

· They close their laptop lids partially or all the way when you are near.

· They minimize or close some windows/tabs when you are near.

· They keep glancing at their laptop screen when you are near.

· Their internet history is blank or has very little in it.

· They are upset or unhappy after being online!
(this normally happens from drama or cyber-bullying)

· They setup an area of their room for video recording.

If you would like more information or tips about how to help keep your Teenagers/Children safe online, please click this link and send us a message: Click Here

Thank You,
Peru Community Schools Technology Department