"I attended a presentation on internet predators at the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office in Baton Rouge. The presentation involved a chat room conversation between an adult man and an investigator posing as a teenage girl. I was sickened by the exchange and alarmed at how easily our children can become victims without our knowledge. The following is a list of internet safety tips. I strongly urge all parents to discuss them with their children and encourage parents to regularly monitor their children’s internet activities.”

Sincerely,
Sheriff Steve Prator

Internet Safety Rules

  1. Keep the computer in a common area of the house.
  2. Establish rules for your child’s internet use.
  3. Discuss the importance of telling an adult if something makes your child feel uncomfortable while online.
  4. Know your child’s online friends. Don’t list your child’s e-mail address in any directory.
  5. Know how to set parental controls and check history files.
  6. Have your child choose a screen name that doesn't identify them as a young boy or girl.
  7. Tell your child not to share his or her password with anyone except a parent.
  8. Warn children that they should not respond to offensive, threatening or unwanted e-mail or instant messages. Also warn them not to give out personal information such as name, address, phone number, school or parent’s name .
  9. Finally, make sure your child knows that not everyone in a chat room may be who they say they are.