Internet Safety

Internet Safety and Awareness                                                               

Today, both adults and children are using the Internet to research just about anything imaginable  - colleges, health plans, and employment opportunities, among many others -- and also participate in interactive activities. Our children may be socializing, posting pictures and videos, playing video games, and sharing experiences with friends. 

Unfortunately, strangers have access to these conversations, pictures, and videos, and when our children are online, they can be exposed to real dangers - among them, pornography, sexual predators, identity theft, and cyberbullying.

As parents, we can help our children take advantage of the Internet without falling victim to its risks.

The online safety of children is a top priority of the Northwestern District Attorney's Office.  One of the ways our office combats the exploitation of children through the Internet is by providing trainings to the community on how to use the Internet safely.  The Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) program has designed an Internet crime prevention training module for citizens and youth.  The Northwestern District Attorney’s Office ICAC training program, NetSmartz Workshop ®, is a resource of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. This presentation provides vital information that will help children navigate the Internet safely and for caretakers to have a conversation with children about how to safely enjoy the digital world. By working together, we can keep our children safer.  Read more about the NWDA's NetSmartz program by clicking here.

Cyber-bullying

"Cyberbullying" is when a child, preteen or teen is tormented, threatened, harassed, humiliated, embarrassed or otherwise targeted by another child, preteen or teen using the Internet, interactive and digital technologies or mobile phones.

The methods used are limited only by the child's imagination and access to technology. And the cyberbully one moment may become the victim the next. The kids often change roles, going from victim to bully and back again. Symptoms related to cyber-stalking and e-harassment may be more intense than in-person harassment, because the impact is more devastating due to the 24/7 nature of online communication, inability to escape to a safe place, and global access of the information.