Internet safety and security tips

Regardless of age, anyone can encounter dangerous predators and inappropriate content online. Children, teens and adults on the Internet can be exposed to threats to their safety and security ranging from scams to stalking, harassment, financial theft, data theft, privacy breaches, sexual predators and extortion. In this interconnected world, it’s necessary to learn how to protect yourself online and avoid the pitfalls that can ruin your online experience or even your real life. While no one can guarantee absolute safety on the internet, these safety and security tips should make it easier to protect yourself.

Tips for everyone

• Avoid opening emails or text messages from sources that you don’t know or trust, no matter how appealing they might seem. They could deliver malware (malicious software) to your device or trick you into falling for a scam.
• Never post your vacation plans on social media or anywhere else online. Doing so lets burglars know that your home will be empty.
• Never reply to any form of communication that is harassing or threatening. Instead, report threats to the authorities, and report incidents of harassment and cyberbullying to the website or phone app where it happened. If the service doesn’t automatically block the harasser after you report them, block them.
• Always log out of any computer that you aren’t using at the moment and make sure that it requires a password to log back in. This will prevent easy unauthorized use by someone else.
• Under no circumstances should you ever provide money or financial account details of any sort without being 100 percent certain that the recipient is genuine and trustworthy. Avoid transactions with any site that isn’t secure, meaning any Web page that does not show a padlock or a Google tune icon in the browser address bar.

  

  

• Never post your personal information online, such as your Social Security number (SSN), home address, bank account information, your full name, your driver’s license or state ID, your phone number, or the name of the school you attend.
• Don’t post photos of yourself online where the public can see them; only share photos with a limited audience of people you trust. And never send any explicit pictures of yourself anywhere.
• Avoid sharing your passwords. Do not write them on sticky notes. If necessary, use a password management service to protect the safety of your accounts.
• Refrain from downloading anything from a source you don’t trust.
• Don’t believe or share any rumors or stories you find online without verifying them with multiple credible sources.

Tips for children

• Never bully anyone, either online or in person.
• If someone bullies you online, print out any threatening messages to your parents or school staff.
• Speak to your parents before buying anything on the internet.
• Never arrange to meet someone in real life who you only know from the internet.
• Don’t download anything onto your computer, tablet or phone without the permission of your parents.

Tips for parents

• Beware of the mobile nature of the internet. Remember to monitor your child’s phone, as well as mobile gaming systems, laptops and tablets.
• Make sure that all computers are in visible, high-traffic areas in your home, where you can easily see what users are doing.
• Consider using a family phone at home so your family can take a break from cell phone screens and social media, while still allowing for important calls to get through.Always keep open lines of communication with your children about their activities online and on mobile devices.
• Identify other people that your children can safely talk to about suspicious, dangerous or uncomfortable incidents that happen online.
• Ensure children are clear about which internet sites they are allowed to visit and how long they are allowed to spend online.
• Remember to occasionally check your child’s online posts and Internet browsing history.

Additional resources

• Responding to Cyberbullying Checklist
• Tips for staying safe online
• Mobile Device Security
• Why Log Out?
• The dangers of sharing personal information on social media
• Unplug to reconnect: how to do a digital detox and reduce screen time at home
• Online Safety Tips: Protecting Your Personal Information
• Using Social Media Safely
• Kids and Money: Online Safety
• How to Talk to Your Child About Internet Safety and Cybersecurity: A Parent’s Guide