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Cyber Safety

Cyber Safety

Technology allows families to find and share information and stay in close touch with one another. Unfortunately, it is often used by people with dangerous or improper intentions. Ohio’s young people need guidance to use the Internet, online video games, and cell phones safely and wisely.
The office of Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray has organized Ohio’s first Cyber Safety Week from October 3-9 to bring students, educators, parents and law enforcement officers together to discuss how the Internet can be used safely. But any time is a good time to talk about online safety with young people. Here are some tips parents and grandparents can give to their young loved ones:
·      Be anonymous: Avoid posting information on your social networking profile or blog such as your last name, address, phone number, hometown or wherever you hang out. 
·      Post with caution: Anyone can download content from the Internet and pass it around at any point in the future. Be careful when posting photos online and never post sexually suggestive images.
·      Be honest about your age: Many websites establish membership rules to protect people. Do not lie about your age if you are too young to sign up.
·      Protect yourself: Never agree to meet with someone you encounter online unless you take your parents or another trusted adult and the meeting is in a public place.
·      Think before you link: Linking to your social networking profile could allow strangers to follow you online and access your personal information.

The Ohio Attorney General’s Office also offers these free publications:
  • Kids Safety Passport: This pocket-sized workbook for parents and kids includes pages for fingerprints, dental records and social media passwords. It is an invaluable resource for law enforcement in the unfortunate event that a child goes missing.
  • Stay Cyber Safe Brochure: Tips for parents on how to set rules for technology use at home.
  • Online Safety Bookmark: Tips for online safety for kids and teens.
  • Avoid Cyber Bullying Bookmark: How kids and teens can deal with inappropriate or threatening e-mails or text messages.
For a complete listing of the publications, or to view them online, visit www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov/CyberSafetyWeek or call the Ohio Attorney General’s Help Center at (800) 282-0515 to place an order.