Online Safety Rules for Kids

These rules are aimed mostly at pre-teens. Appropriate "rules" for online use vary by age, maturity of the child and family values.

• I will not give out personal information such as my address, telephone number, parents’ work address/telephone number without my parents’ permission.
• I will tell my parents right away if I come across something that makes me feel uncomfortable.
• I will never agree to get together with someone I “meet” online without first checking with my parents. If my parents agree to the meeting, I will be sure that it is in a public place and bring a parent along.
• I will talk with my parents about posting pictures of myself or others online and not post any pictures that my parents consider to be inappropriate.
• I will not respond to any messages that are mean or in any way make me feel uncomfortable. It is not my fault if I get a message like that. If I do I will tell my parents right away.
• I will talk with my parents so that we can set up rules for going online and using a mobile phone. We will decide upon the time of day that I can be online, the length of time I can be online and appropriate areas for me to visit. I will not access other areas or break these rules without their permission.
• I will not give out my passwords to anyone (even my best friends) other than my parents.
• I will check with my parents before downloading or installing software or doing anything that could possibly hurt our computer or mobile device or jeopardize my family’s privacy.
• I will be a good online citizen and not do anything that hurts other people or is against the law.
• I will help my parents understand how to have fun and learn things online and teach them things about the Internet, computers and other technology.