Print
Share page with AddThis

Internet Safety

Internet Safety and Awareness

Today, both adults and children are using the Internet to research just about anything imaginable  - colleges, health plans, and employment opportunities, among many others -- and also participate in interactive activities. Our children may be socializing, posting pictures and videos, playing video games, and sharing experiences with friends. 

Unfortunately, strangers have access to these conversations, pictures, and videos, and when our children are online, they can be exposed to real dangers - among them, pornography, sexual predators, identity theft, and cyberbullying.

As parents, we can help our children take advantage of the Internet without falling victim to its risks.

The NWDA has a Child Sexual Predator Task Force, which monitors Internet crimes against children and aggressively prosecutes offenders. 

Among programs that have been offered or are currently offered is the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC)-designed Internet crime prevention training module for citizens and youth known as the NetSmartz Workshop®, a resource of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. This presentation provides vital information that can help children navigate the Internet safely and for caretakers to have a conversation with children about how to safely enjoy the digital world. By working together, we can keep our children safer. 

Cyber-bullying

"Cyberbullying" is when a child, preteen or teen is tormented, threatened, harassed, humiliated, embarrassed or otherwise targeted by another child, preteen or teen using the Internet, interactive and digital technologies or mobile phones.

The methods used are limited only by the child's imagination and access to technology. And the cyberbully one moment may become the victim the next. The kids often change roles, going from victim to bully and back again. Symptoms related to cyber-stalking and e-harassment may be more intense than in-person harassment, because the impact is more devastating due to the 24/7 nature of online communication, inability to escape to a safe place, and global access of the information.

Reporting Suspected Child Exploitation

Complaints of suspected online child exploitation may be reported to:

  • National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) 
    1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678)
    www.missingkids.com

Training and Public Education