Chat Safety

• Accompany your child in chat rooms while they learn your safety rules.
   
• Teach children not to give out their name, address, school name, e-mail address, or any personal information.
   
• Chat rooms can be entered by category. Monitor where your child is going.
    
• Use an alias or nickname as opposed to given name. Do not use sexually suggestive names.
   
• Explain to children that people are not always who they say they are. Predators will appear supportive and friendly to gain trust.
   
• Limit your child's online time. Chatting should not replace friends, schoolwork, sports and other activities.
   
• Chatting during evening hours poses the greatest risk. Most offenders work during the day and spend their evenings trying to lure children by using pornography.