Cyber Safety

The Internet is a wonderful tool for all of us to use but as with everything else, caution should be followed.

The Northwest Texas Confrence is providing information concerning Cyber Safety so that parents, clergy, and youth directors can inform their children and youth of the safety measures that should be observed when using the internet.

The following pages will provide you with links and further information on Cyber Safety.

Cyber Links http://www.nwtxconf.org/cyberlinks

Definitions http://www.nwtxconf.org/cyberdefinitions

Safety Tips http://www.nwtxconf.org/cybertips

Related Articles:
Pastor uses Internet as pulpit, gathering place
Commentary: Are you ready for the revolution?
Church's new Web site fosters online community
Facebook: Another place for Christians to express their faith

Resources
Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force
Internet World Stats
Common Sense Media

Did you know that there is Cyber Bullying? Cyber Stalking? Cyber Harrasment?

What is LOL, AFK, BRB, AAK, FITB?

Check out the following links to the answers to the above questions and more.
Love Our Children USA, http://www.loveourchildrenusa.org/parent_cyberdictionary.php
has a great dictionay.

NetSmartz, http://www.netsmartz.org/safety/definitions.htm, also has a good definitions of terms for internet use

HELPFUL LINKS
Keeping America's Children Safe  ...  Strengthening America's Families
This is the purpose, passion and commitment of Love Our Children USA http://www.loveourchildrenusa.org/parent_internetfacts.php

GetNetWise is a public service brought to you by Internet industry corporations and public interest organizations to help ensure that Internet users have safe, constructive, and educational or entertaining online experiences http://kids.getnetwise.org/safetyguide/

Wired Safety, is a 501(c)(3) Program and the largest online safety, education and help group in the world. We are a cyber-neighborhood watch and operate worldwide in cyberspace through our more than 9,000 volunteers worldwide. (WiredSafety is run entirely by volunteers.)  On this page you will find links to information for parents and teens http://www.wiredsafety.org

ConnectSafely is for parents, teens, educators, advocates - everyone engaged in and interested in the impact of the social Web http://connectsafely.org/

Cyber Tipline is The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC)
The Nation's Resource Center for Child Protection  http://www.cybertipline.com/

Teenangels is a group of 13-18 year-old volunteers that have been specially trained by the local law enforcement, and many other leading safety experts in all aspects of online safety, privacy, and security. After completion of the required training, the Teenangels run unique programs in schools to spread the word about responsible and safe surfing to other teens and younger kids, parents, and teachers. At the urging of our Teenangel volunteers, a special group of volunteers will be able to continue as Teenangels after they become 18 years old, & a new group of Tweenangels has been formed for those between 9 & 12 years of age http://www.teenangels.org/

I-SAFE Inc. is the worldwide leader in Internet safety education. Founded in 1998 and endorsed by the U.S. Congress, i-SAFE is a non-profit foundation dedicated to protecting the online experiences of youth everywhere. i-SAFE incorporates classroom curriculum with dynamic community outreach to empower students, teachers, parents, law enforcement, and concerned adults to make the Internet a safer place. Please join us today in the fight to safeguard our children’s online experience http://www.isafe.org/

SAFETY TIPS
Should you give out your name, address, phone number on chat rooms to just anyone? Put your first and last name on all of your pictures on the web? Check out the following sites for safety tips.

Internet Safety Tips for Students and Parents from Teen Angels can be fund at  http://www.teenangels.org/safety.html

Safe Kids offers more tips at http://safekids.com/child-safety-on-the-information-highway/ and http://safekids.com/kids-rules-for-online-safety/

Wired Safety offers Keeping Kids and Teens Safe on MySpace, Facebook, YouTube, Xanga and other Networking Sites at http://wiredsafety.org