Has Your Child Taken The Internet Safety Pledge?

Here's a great idea for younger children in your house who are using the net. It's called the Internet Safety Pledge.

Before letting them go online print out this email and have them sign it. Then every few weeks have them read it again out loud.

It's a great way to foster both a stronger bond with you and your child, and help them to understand that the Internet can be a dangerous place, without scaring them.

1. I promise not give out any personal information such as my address, telephone number, my parents' work address / telephone number, or the name and location of my school without first asking my parents' permission.

2. I promise to tell my parents right away if I come across any information that makes me feel uncomfortable, scared or funny.

3. I promise never agree to meet with someone I met online without first checking with my parents. If my parents agree to the meeting, it must be in public and I agree to bring my mother or father along.

4. I promise to never send a person my picture or anything else over the Internet or through the post office without first checking with my parents.

5. I promise not respond to any messages that are mean or that in any way that makes me feel uncomfortable. If someone sends me a message like, I promise to tell my parents right away.

6. I promise to talk with my parents so that we can set up rules for going online. My parents will decide the time of day that I can be online, how much time I can be online and the safe sites for me to visit. I will not break these rules or access other areas without their permission.

7. I will not download anything from anyone I don't know.

While it's a great idea, using this pledge is not enough to protect your children online. They may be playing by the rules, but you have to remember as a parent that not everyone out there is.

Click here for a printer friendly version of this Interent Safety Pledge