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As a parent, you can reduce the chances that a predator will reach your child. U.S. Postal Inspectors recommend you follow these guidelines:
- Familiarize yourself with the various technologies children use to communicate — computers, cell phones, gaming systems, laptops, tablets, and other mobile devices.
- Keep the computer in a high-traffic area of your home where you can monitor your child’s activity.
- Establish rules and limitations for social networking, photo-sharing, gaming, and other online communication sites and applications used by children.
- Take an interest in your child’s online activities and learn whom they communicate with, including who is on their friends list.
- Use filtering or monitoring software for all of your computers and devices. Good products list accepted sites and give children access only to pre-approved sites.
- Encourage communication. Let your child know he or she can talk to you without repercussion. Children may do or see things online that they shouldn’t, but don’t want to tell anyone because they’re afraid of losing Internet privileges.
Additional tips and resources for all audiences can be found online at netsmartz.org. NetSmartz teaches Internet safety skills in age–appropriate modules.
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