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A Newsletter by the City of Saco, Maine	July, 2007	Return to newsletter index

Keeping Your Family Safe: Children & Computers

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With the ever-increasing development of computer technology and the increasing number of people who are computer literate, it is much more likely that your children may be victimized or exploited in a computer environment. The internet has provided enormous educational and social benefits, but carries risks that parents should carefully consider before allowing their children to surf online and unsupervised. Chat rooms, MySpace, online dating, and many other internet uses have, in the last several years, provided ample (and anonymous) opportunities to those predators who prey on the unsuspecting and vulnerable children, using computers, cellular telephones, and other modern technology as the gateway into your home.

Advise your children to observe the following safety rules whenever they are online. Remind them that no matter how safe or friendly other users and members seem, there is always a potential for danger.

• Never give out any personal information about themselves — particularly real names, addresses, phone numbers, financial information, etc. to anyone that they meet online.
• Report all electronic harassment and/or abuse to their parents. As parents, you should notify the online service operator of the problem. If the online operator does not give you satisfaction in stopping the abuse, notify the police.
• Tell your children to never set up face-to-face meetings with anyone they have met online. Be sure to reaffirm to your children that if anyone they meet online wants to meet them, they need to tell you as soon as possible.
• Safeguard all credit card and bank numbers, social security numbers, and dates of birth.

Warning Signs of Possible Computer Crime Problems

• Lack of interest in self and appearance, grooming, or indications of lack of sleep.
• Computer and modem running late at night, (even when unattended.)
• Computer files ending in GIF, JPG, BMP, TIF, PCX, DL, GL, MPEG, FLI. These are picture or graphic image files and parents should know what they illustrate. Image files may be pictures or video of a sexual nature and can be of very high quality and even include sound. What You Can Do to Protect Your Children
• Learn about computers.
• Talk to your kids about their use of the computer and the dangers online.
• Be involved with your kids in using the computer. This is a great opportunity to spend time with your child.
• Keep the computer in a common area of your home. Virtually every case where children were involved in computer crimes or were victims of abuse via computer, computers were in the children's room.

For additional information about internet crimes against children, visit the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force site, or speak with Detective Corey Huntress at 282-8216.