WEBVTT Kind: captions Language: en 00:00:08.460 --> 00:00:10.705 The internet. 00:00:10.706 --> 00:00:13.853 It offers enormous opportunities to communicate! 00:00:13.854 --> 00:00:18.829 Most of us – including kids – do all kinds of things online. 00:00:18.830 --> 00:00:22.754 We connect through email, text and instant messaging. 00:00:22.754 --> 00:00:25.386 We post and distribute pictures and videos. 00:00:25.387 --> 00:00:27.894 We may have profiles on social networks, 00:00:27.895 --> 00:00:32.653 where we share our lives, our plans and our thoughts with hundreds of people. 00:00:32.654 --> 00:00:39.753 These ways of communicating and socializing can be convenient and fun – yet they come with certain risks. 00:00:39.754 --> 00:00:44.978 Many parents wonder, “How should I talk to my kids about being safe online? 00:00:44.979 --> 00:00:48.792 A booklet called Net Cetera provides some practical tips. 00:00:48.793 --> 00:00:55.897 It’s based on the idea that the first step to protecting kids online is more about talking than technology. 00:00:55.898 --> 00:01:00.573 When kids want important information, they turn to their parents. 00:01:00.574 --> 00:01:05.320 So talk to them about your values – honesty, fairness, courtesy, 00:01:05.321 --> 00:01:11.820 or whatever values are most important in your family – and how they apply in an online setting. 00:01:11.821 --> 00:01:14.783 By communicating your values and expectations, 00:01:14.784 --> 00:01:20.453 you’ll help your kids make smarter, more thoughtful decisions when they face tricky situations online. 00:01:20.454 --> 00:01:23.325 Here are some things to talk about: 00:01:23.326 --> 00:01:29.882 Social Networking sites, chat rooms and blogs are some ways kids socialize online. 00:01:29.883 --> 00:01:32.886 They can help kids connect with friends, 00:01:32.887 --> 00:01:36.857 but it’s important to help your children learn how to navigate these spaces safely. 00:01:36.858 --> 00:01:40.201 Among the pitfalls: sharing too much information, 00:01:40.202 --> 00:01:45.582 and posting pictures or video that can hurt someone’s feelings or damage a reputation. 00:01:45.583 --> 00:01:50.075 Talk to your kids about applying good judgment to help minimize those pitfalls. 00:01:50.076 --> 00:01:53.889 Most mobile phones have cameras and can shoot video, 00:01:53.890 --> 00:01:57.964 making it easy for teens to capture and share every moment on the go. 00:01:57.965 --> 00:02:03.685 Encourage kids to think about their privacy and that of others before they share photos and videos. 00:02:03.686 --> 00:02:10.790 Cyberbullying is bullying that happens online – and it’s a lose-lose proposition. 00:02:10.791 --> 00:02:16.276 It makes the person being harassed feel bad – and it makes the bully look bad. 00:02:16.277 --> 00:02:19.071 Talk to your kids about treating others with respect, 00:02:19.072 --> 00:02:22.753 and let them know they can talk to you if someone harasses them. 00:02:22.754 --> 00:02:28.867 If that happens, encourage your kids to block the bully if they can, and ignore him or her if they can’t. 00:02:28.868 --> 00:02:32.553 That’s because bullies are looking for a reaction. 00:02:32.554 --> 00:02:40.178 If it continues, ask your kids to save the evidence and share it with you or another adult they trust. 00:02:40.179 --> 00:02:44.986 Mean behavior usually stops pretty quickly when someone speaks up. 00:02:44.987 --> 00:02:51.686 Encourage your kids to stand up for themselves, and to stand up for someone else being cyberbullied. 00:02:51.687 --> 00:02:57.386 And talk to your kids about treating others online the same way they want to be treated. 00:02:57.387 --> 00:02:59.874 Here are some other tips to keep in mind. 00:02:59.875 --> 00:03:04.994 Start early: Young kids see their parents using smart phones and computers. 00:03:04.995 --> 00:03:09.786 So as soon your kids use one themselves, it’s time to talk to them about safety. 00:03:09.787 --> 00:03:14.386 Initiate conversations: Don’t wait for kids to come to you. 00:03:14.387 --> 00:03:21.373 Use everyday chances to talk with them: news stories about cyberbullying, a storyline on TV – 00:03:21.374 --> 00:03:24.586 both can be the start of a good conversation. 00:03:24.587 --> 00:03:32.086 Be patient: Most kids need small bits of information repeated – often – for it to really sink in. 00:03:32.087 --> 00:03:36.289 Keep talking; chances are it’ll pay off. 00:03:36.290 --> 00:03:42.192 Read Net Cetera for more information about chatting with your kids about being safe online. 00:03:42.193 --> 00:03:45.193 It’s free. And you’ll find it at OnGuardOnline.gov.