These are exciting times to raise a family. Our children are exposed to so many wonderful experiences for growth and development. Computer technology has opened up a wealth of opportunities that offer challenge, education, and just plain fun. The Internet is one terrific way to tap into a whole new world of knowledge that can enhance school performance and improve a child's communication skills.

But just like exploring any new territory, your children may encounter some unsafe situations on the Internet that they need to be warned about. We know you would never send your children out into the world without certain rules and special guidelines to protect them. So, too, should you prepare them before they "surf" the World Wide Web.

We often hear a lot of negative issues regarding the Internet. This kit is designed to be a positive, interactive guide to Internet safety. Since many children are already pretty savvy about technology, much of it has been developed from their perspective. When you read it together, you'll find there's information for everyone. There are rules to clip out and post next to your computer and games your children can play while they're learning to be safe. Keep it with your computer books and Internet materials to refer to again and again. Have fun discovering all you can about this new adventure in learning. Let's all fight crime on line together.

Click the Surfing Computer for a FREE McGruff^® Healthy Habits and Safety Tips Desktop Wallpaper for your computer.

Signed McGruff^®

The McGruff^® Internet Safety Kit includes:

Info Parents Need To Know To Be Web Savvy
Questions That Families Can Discuss Together
What Kids Want Their Parents To Know
Scruff^® Internet Fun Sheet
Rules For Kids To Clip Out And Post Next To The Computer
Games Your Children Can Play While They're Learning To Be Safe

For a complete listing of the McGruff^® licensed products, go to the Catalog page.

Safety Tips For Kids:

Never give out personal information on the Internet. Don't share your real name, where you live, where you go to school or anything about your family.
Its best not to talk to strangers, just like when you're at the park or in a store. Someone may pretend to be someone he or she is not.
Don't agree to meet anyone you've talked to on line. Tell your parents if an on–line friend wants to get together so your parents know all about it.
If you fill out a personal profile that other kids can read on line, don't write anything that says too much about you. You may think only your friends can see it, but strangers can find out about you , too.
Don't write back to flames (people who use bad language or want to get into an argument on line).
Log off immediately if you see or read something that upsets you. Tell your parents or a teacher if something like that happens.
Protect your password. No one should ever ask you for it for any reason.
Don't buy anything over the Internet without your parent's approval. Don't give out a credit card number without your parent's knowledge.
Never send pictures over the Internet unless your parents know about it.
Ask your parent's permission to visit a chat room.

Web Savvy Parents Need To Know:

Keep the computer in a family room, kitchen or another area where you can monitor its use.
Limit your child's time on line, just like you do their television viewing. They need a balance of activities in their lives.
Take time to teach your children how to use the computer responsibly.
Discuss the rules with your children. Post them near the computer as a reminder.
Ask about your child's on–line friends, so you know with whom they are communicating.
Discuss the difference between advertising and educational information. Explain by showing examples of each.
Most Internet providers offer parental controls with their service. Use them to keep children away from undesirable sites.
Report anything that gets by parental controls and let your Internet service provider know what you expect in terms of keeping kids safe.
Learn all you can about blocking and filtering software offered b;y computer stores. Many can be purchased or downloaded for FREE.
Check out the World Wide Web for organizations that represent children's rights. Do a search using keywords such as: Internet safety for kids, and your browser will take you there. Many have newsletters you can download to keep you updated on the latest Internet information.

Internet fraud consists of scams that con artists have been using for years, now they have a new medium and new victims to exploit.

Tips To Help You Navigate Safely Through Cyberspace:

Shop online only with companies you know. If you do not know a company, ask for a print catalog before you decide to order electronically
Use a secure browser that will encrypt or scramble purchase information. If they do not have encryption software, consider calling the company's 800 number, faxing your order, or paying with a check
Never give anyone your bank account number, social security number, or other personal information that is not absolutely needed to complete a transaction
Never give out your Internet password. Your online provider will not ask for your password other than at first log-on. Change your password often and be creative.

Top Scams On The Internet:

Pyramid schemes offer a chance to invest in an up-and-coming company with a guaranteed high return. You invest and must ask others to do the same, but when the pyramid collapses, everyone loses...except the person at the top
Internet-related services that are not delivered such as designing a Web Site
Equipment that is not delivered or is of lower quality than promised
Business opportunities or franchises that are represented as more profitable than they really are
Work at home schemes where individuals need to invest money in startup services, but do not earn enough money to recover the initial investment

Crime Prevention Tips from:
National Crime Prevention Council
1700 K Street, NW, Second Floor
Washington, DC 20006-3817
www.weprevent.org

The National Citizens' Crime Prevention Campaign sponsored by the Crime Prevention Coalition of America, which is substantially funded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice.

Distribution made possible in part by a grant from ADT Security Systems, Inc.

McGruff^® Safe Kids Identification Kit, P.O. Box 931, Wayzata, MN 55391
E-Mail: info@mcgruff-safe-kids.com
Phone: 1.800.288.3344, Fax: 952.473.7123
Boerner, Inc. is an official licensee of the National Crime Prevention Council.
McGruff^®, Scruff^®, and "TAKE A BITE OUT OF CRIME" are registered trademarks of the National Crime Prevention Council. Boerner, Inc. has the right to distribute other McGruff^®, and Scruff^®, licensed educational products from other licensees.
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