A Family's Guide to Website and Social Media Safety

In this technology-driven world, we’re more connected to each other than ever before, thanks to computers, tablets, smartphones, and other digital devices. Technology is ingrained into every aspect of our daily lives at this point, but while most people may know the basics of how to use these devices, most people don’t give their safety while doing so a second thought. It’s important to take precautions while browsing the Internet to keep you and your loved ones safe from cyberbullying, identity theft, scams, and other crimes.

Internet Safety

• Digital Safety: We use the Internet all the time, but do you ever think about how safe you are on the websites you visit?
• Youth Internet Safety: Risks, Responses, and Research Recommendations: This guide from the Center for Technology Innovation at Brookings discusses how kids and teenagers can stay safe online.
• Internet Safety Tips: These tips are designed for both children and adults to help them protect their data and personal information online.
• Internet Safety Tips for Children and Teens: Learn Internet safety tips that cover everything from personal information to bullying to doing effective research.
• Online Safety Tips for Teens: The world is constantly connected thanks to technology and social media, but that constant connection can make us vulnerable to people looking to take advantage of others. That’s why being safe online is so important.
• Tips and Guidelines for Parents and Students About Internet Safety: People of all ages should learn about how to use the Internet safely.
• Internet Safety Tips for Students: Not only do remote learning platforms promise a wealth of new opportunities, but they also increase potential exposure to online threats.
• An Introduction to Internet Safety: This life skills learning unit introduces kids to Internet safety through helpful videos featuring Google security experts, articles, and practice exercises to help kids better understand what they’ve learned.
• Ten Internet Safety Tips for Kids: These safety tips can help people be more aware of potential dangers while browsing the Internet.

Digital Citizenship

• What Is Digital Citizenship, and How Do You Teach It? In the digital age, teachers need to help kids learn how to be good digital citizens. These lessons teach crucial concepts and skills that kids will need as technology evolves.
• Digital Citizenship in Education: Digital citizenship doesn’t require just giving kids a list of “don’ts” on the Internet; it’s about modeling and practicing skills to help young people solve problems in both their digital and physical communities.
• What Is Digital Citizenship, and Why Is it Important? Technology is used now more than ever for work, school, and leisure, so everybody must learn how to use it properly.
• Digital Citizenship Explained: This helpful video from PBS Learning Media explains how to think critically and practice good behavior online.
• Are You Committed to Digital Citizenship? As technology grows and evolves, kids are surrounded by it more than ever, so they need to be taught how to use technological tools responsibly.
• How to Teach Your Students the Nine Elements of Digital Citizenship: Screen time, plagiarism, and Internet safety are among the topics that fall under the digital citizenship umbrella.
• Digital Citizenship: What it Means, How to Teach it, and the Resources You Need: Teachers who use technology should incorporate elements of digital citizenship into their classes consistently so students have a better understanding of their digital world and how to be part of it.
• Your Guide to Being a Good Digital Citizen: On this page, experts at Temple University answer some of the most common questions people have about what it takes to be a good digital citizen.

Social Media Safety

• Understanding Social Media Privacy: Social media sites have made it easier to share information all over the world, but that information is often public, which means anybody can see it.
• Why it Is Important to Avoid Oversharing Online: Access to personal information has become as easy as typing something into the Google search bar, so it’s important to understand why some details should be kept private.
• Protecting Your Social Media Presence: As great as it is to keep in touch with our friends and family no matter where we go, understanding the potential risks of social media can lead to a safer social networking experience.
• Take Control: Customizing Your Social Media Privacy Settings: Learn how to protect your privacy on different social media sites by using their privacy settings.
• Share With Care: Staying Safe on Social Media: Everyone from social media newbies to influencers should think critically about the potential effects of sharing personal information online.
• The Educator’s Guide to Social Media: Most American adults have some form of social media, but so do most teenagers, which is why it’s important for educators to cover safe social media use in school.
• Family Guide to Student Social Media Guidelines for Ages 12 and Younger: Family members are the first positive role models for kids, so it’s important to model responsible social media use for them.
• How to Stay Private While Sharing on Social Media: People have turned to social media for human interaction, and that can be great as long as it’s done responsibly. When you overshare online, you give scammers a chance to take advantage of you.

Cyberbullying

• How to Stop Cyberbullying: UNICEF brought together specialists from all over the world and teamed up with social media sites to bring awareness to online bullying and give advice on how children and teenagers can deal with it.
• 11 Facts About Cyberbullying: Learn more about what cyberbullying is and how it affects people around you.
• Cyberbullying Statistics: Find out how prevalent cyberbullying is and learn more about the online harassment kids and teenagers today may face.
• Cyberbullying Information: Unfortunately, bullying has evolved alongside technology, so it now takes place online as well as in person. Here, you can learn more about what cyberbullying is and what adults can do about it.
• Is Cyberbullying Illegal? When Comments Turn Criminal: Cyberbullying affects many of today’s youth, but do you need to get a lawyer involved?
• Cyberbullying: Cyberbullying is an unfortunate reality for many Internet users. Find out more about what it is, why people do it, and what can be done about it here.
• Cyberbullying Research: With the rise of technology and social media, cyberbullying has become rampant, but it’s still not as bad as it is offline.
• Cyberbullying: There are things parents can do to keep online socializing healthy for kids and teens. This article has some helpful tips for parents to take advantage of.
• Help Kids Deal With Cyberbullying: Learn about the tools parents and children can use when they or someone they love is being cyberbullied.

Identity Theft, Phishing, and Online Scams

• Identity Theft: What it Is, How to Prevent it, Warning Signs, and Tips: Learn about the warning signs of somebody using your name, birth date, and Social Security number to illegally pose as you.
• Identity Theft Victim Checklist: This checklist is designed for victims of identity theft to help them clear their records and limit the damage scammers have already done.
• Spoofing and Phishing: Spoofing and phishing are two common methods used to scam people online, so it’s important to learn more about them to protect yourself.
• How to Recognize Phishing Email Messages, Links, or Phone Calls: Emails and websites designed for phishing are incredibly common among cybercriminals. Learn what to look for so you can keep yourself safe.
• Taxpayer Guide to Identity Theft: Not only can you learn about the steps you can take to better protect your personal information here, but this page also details what action you can take if you are a victim to minimize the damage.
• Identity Crime Prevention Methods: Learn some helpful preventative measures that can keep you safe from identity theft.
• Spot the Scam Signs: Learn how to spot the signs of a scam from the moment you see them by learning about five common Internet scams.
• How to Spot a Scam: Scammers are constantly finding new ways to do the same scams, but if you follow this advice, you can learn how to spot malicious messages.