Home >> Crime Prevention >> Internet Crimes Against Children

Do you know where your kids are on the internet? Unsupervised internet use by your child is like leaving your front door unlocked in a bad part of town.

The internet offers our children many opportunities for research, learning, and entertainment that can be supportive and fun. Unfortunately, it has also become a tool for abuse, and our children are too frequently the victims.

There are steps you and your kids can take to help keep your family safe while using the internet:

Safety tips for parents:
	Put your computer in a common location in your home, not in a bedroom or closed room.
	Monitor your child's activities on line.
	Learn about computers--Take a class, ask a friend, ask your child!
	Be WARY of anyone asking for:
	—	personal information on the internet
	—	credit card numbers
	—	information accompanied by prize offerings or cash
	Don't rely on software to prevent a sophisticated computer kid from getting into trouble.

Safety tips for kids:
	Never give out or send personal information like photos, addresses, telephone numbers, or the location of your school without your parents' permission.
	If you come across or are sent anything online that makes you feel uncomfortable, tell your parents or teachers and do not respond to the message.
	Never agree to get together with someone you meet online without telling your parents and getting their permission.

The Orono Police Department has an officer trained in Internet Crime prevention. If you have concerns about an interaction your child has had over the internet, you can contact the Orono Police Department at 952-249-4700.

You can also access the Minnesota Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force web site to take an internet safety quiz for kids or adults, or to learn more about the efforts of this organization.