Online Safety Resources for you and your family
Updated June 2024
Enable yourself and your family to approach technology informed and safely by starting with the following resources.
Article from the Surgeon General on social media harm and guidance:
The Bark phone is a phone with monitoring and security built into it. If you want to get your child a phone but do not have a good grasp on how to keep It appropriate for your child, this could be a good option. They also write blogs regarding child safety around specific apps, technology platforms, and the like.
CISA (Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency) is a US government agency dedicated to cybersecurity for all consumers. They work with businesses, issuing requirements and certifications. They also put out quite a bit of content on safety. This is a good website to look through for people looking to learn about protecting their family (young and old).
New to cybersecurity? start here for top tips to protect yourself - https://www.cisa.gov/secure-our-world/secure-yourself-your-family
Healthy Kids (American Academy of Pediatrics) article on appropriate use of technology and how to navigate usage at various ages.
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/Media/Pages/Where-We-Stand-TV-Viewing-Time.aspx
Creating a technology plan with your child enables open communication and expectations: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/media/Pages/hhh.aspx#wizard
Missingkids.org provides videos to watch with your middle and high schoolers to talk about various online safety topics. Watch these videos along side your child and use it as an opportunity to enable conversation that could save their lives.
Game made by the FBI for 3rd to 8th graders to learn online safety and other FBI resources
Article on Sextortion and tools https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/scams-and-safety/common-scams-and-crimes/sextortion/sextortion_default_page
Guidance from the FTC on media and technology safety configurations
Internet crimes against children task force training for parents: https://www.icactaskforce.org/search-results?Sort=Chronological&content=Training&tl=Beginner
ISC2 is a national certifying organization in cybersecurity. They offer a variety of resources for teaching teens and kids about safety.