Family Contract for Online Safety*

There are lots of "rules" on how kids (and parents) can use the Internet, but the most important rule is that parents and kids agree to a set of criteria. Here, based on "Kids Rules for Online Safety" and "Guidelines for Parents" are two pledges that kids and parents can take. They should be printed out, signed by both kids and parents, and posted near the computer.

Kids' Pledge

http://www.safekids.com/contract_kid.htm

Parents' Pledge

http://www.safekids.com/contract_parent.htm

Kids' Rules for Online Safety

1. I will not give out personal information such as my address, telephone number, parents’ work address/telephone number, or the name and location of my school without my parents’ permission. 
2. I will tell my parents right away if I come across any information that makes me feel uncomfortable.
3. I will never agree to get together with someone I "meet" online without first checking with my parents. If my parents agree to the meeting, I will be sure that it is in a public place and bring my mother or father along.           
4. I will never send a person my picture or anything else without first checking with my parents.
5. I will not respond to any messages that are mean or in any way make me feel uncomfortable. It is not my fault if I get a message like that. If I do I will tell my parents right away so that they can contact the service provider.
6. I will talk with my parents so that we can set up rules for going online. We will decide upon the time of day that I can be online, the length of time I can be online, and appropriate areas for me to visit. I will not access other areas or break these rules without their permission.     
7. I will not give out my Internet password to anyone (even my best friends) other than my parents.
8. I will be a good online citizen and not do anything that hurts other people or is against the law.

Rules one through six are adapted from the brochure Child Safety on the Information Highway by SafeKids.Com founder Lawrence J. Magid. Printed copies are available free by calling 800 843-5678. *Copied from Heather New's eboard.

Online Safty Websites

Power to Learn: Online safety guide for kids and parents.

     http://www.powertolearn.com/internet_smarts/index.shtml  

KidsSafty.com: Offers tips for internet safety and civility.

      http://www.powertolearn.com/internet_smarts/index.shtml

Resources for Bullying

Bullying.org: Dedicated to preventing, resolving, and eliminating bullying in society. 

     http://www.bullying.org/

Teaching Tolerance: dedicated to reducing prejudice, improving intergroup relations and supporting equitable school experiences for our nation's children.

http://www.tolerance.org/

Center for Safe and Responsible Internet Use: Information about preventing cyberbullying.

     http://www.csriu.org/cyberbully/

Anti-bullying Pledge (from Bullying.org and Family Channel)

This is for me

my friends today

And my friends tomorrow.

I think being mean stinks!

I won't watch someone get picked on

Because I am a do something person

not a do nothing person.

I care

I can help change things

I can be a leader

In my world there are no bullies allowed.

Bullying is bad

Bullying bites

Bullying bothers me.

I know sticking up for someone is the right thing to do

My name is (your name)

And I won't stand by

 

I will stand up.