How Safe are Your Kids Online?
Parents Encouraged to Monitor Childrens' Internet Activity
by Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning
January 29, 2007
Kids in Nebraska are Using
the Internet Every Day . . .
to do homework, to talk to their friends, and to have
fun. Unfortunately, predators and pedophiles use the Internet every
day as a tool to find their next victim. In fact, one in seven
children who regularly use the Internet is sexually solicited.
Talk to your kids. Know what they are doing online. For more tips on keeping kids cyber-safe, visit our Web site at safekids.ne.gov. Working together, we can protect our children.
Know the Facts . . .
Many parents believe if their children are using the Internet at home, they are protected. But an Internet connection is all a predator needs to invade your home and threaten your child's safety. According to a report by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children:
**1 in 7 children who regularly use the Internet is sexually
solicited.
**1 in 11 is harassed or threatened.
**31 percent receive an aggressive sexual solicitation or are asked
to meet.
**79 percent of solicitations occur in the child's home.
**56 percent of children do not tell anyone about the
solicitations.
What's Being Done?
The Attorney General's Office is committed to catching and bringing to justice those who use the Internet to prey on our children. In addition to prosecutions, the Nebraska Department of Justice:
**Works with the Nebraska State Patrol's Internet Crimes
Against Children Unit to capture and convict Internet
predators.
**Works with the state's Educational Service Units (ESUs) to
educate kids about the dangers that lurk online.
**Worked with the Legislature to pass LB 943 which created the
crime of online enticement of a child under age 17.
**Created safekids.ne.gov
where parents, kids, and teachers can go to learn more about
Internet safety.
Some Internet Safety Tips for Parents . . .
**Explore the Internet with your children and help them find
kid-friendly sites.
**Tell children they should avoid giving our personal information
like name, address, and phone number in chat rooms, to online pen
pals, or on electronic bulletin boards.
**Use an online filter. Most Internet providers offer a filter to
customers; if yours does not, consider purchasing software that can
filter online activity when you're not around.
**Set online rules and make sure your children understand and
follow them.
**Teach your children the meaning of private and personal
information, such as details about your family and where they
attend school.
For more information about keeping your kids cyber-safe, visit safekids.ne.gov.
Or contact:
Nebraska Department of Justice
Attorney General Jon Bruning
Phone: 402-471-2682 or 1-800-727-6432
Fax: 402-471-0006
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To parents of Wahoo Public Schools: If you are not familiar with the Internet, and would like instruction on how to monitor your child's activity online, please contact WPS Media Specialist Dave Privett at 443-4332, ext. 3232.
