My Rules for Online Safety

• I will not give out personal information such as my address, telephone number, parents’ or guardians’ work address/telephone number, or the name and location of my school without my parents’ or guardians’ permission. I will not give out my Internet password(s) to anyone — even my best friends — other than my parents or guardians.  
  
  
  • I will tell my parents or guardians right away if I come across any information that makes me feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused.
  • I will never agree to get together with someone I first “meet” online without checking with my parents or guardians. If they agree to the meeting,
  • I will be sure it is in a public place and bring my parent or guardian along.
  • I will never send a person my picture or anything else without first checking with my parents or guardians.
  • I will not respond to any messages that are mean or in any way make me feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused. It is not my fault if I get a message like that. If I do I will tell a trusted adult right away so they can contact the online service.
  • I will talk with my parents or guardians so we can set up rules for going online. We will decide upon the time of day 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 practice good “netiquette” by not hurting other people or breaking the law.

About This Document

This brochure was written by Lawrence J. Magid, a syndicated columnist and technology commentator, who is author of The Little PC Book (Peachpit Press) and host of www.safekids.com, a web site devoted to keeping children safer in “cyberspace.” He is also the author of Teen Safety on the Information Highway, a free brochure also published by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.

The first edition of this brochure was created with the generous sponsorship of America Online®, CompuServe®, Delphi™ Internet, e•World, GEnie®, Interchange™ Online Network, and Prodigy® Services.

This project was supported by Grant No. 2005-MC-CXK024 awarded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Points of view or opinions in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice. National Center for Missing & Exploited Children®, 1-800-THE-LOST®, and CyberTipline® are registered service marks of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.

Copyright © 1994, 1998, 2003, and 2005 by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. All rights reserved.

For more information please visit the National Center for missing & Exploited Children website