Online Safety Resources

​​​​​Wisconsin Department of Justice and Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction have teamed up to prov​ide information about helping kids use online digital tools and resources in a responsible way. This video session focuses on how to be proactive in planning, how to be reactive to situations that occur, and what resources and supports exist for you to rely on throughout this process. Learn more about how you can help prepare kids for online environments and what to watch for as their trusted adult.​​​

  • The best way to protect your children online is through creating and maintaining open lines of communication. Internet safety is about parenting --- software programs alone will not protect your children.
  • Prepare your children for the online world as you would the real world. Talk to them about dangers and risks online. Talk with your children about their online activity, including the websites they are visiting, the people they are communicating with, the information they are posting about themselves, and any situations that make them feel scared, uncomfortable or confused.
  • Establish a positive relationship with your children before someone else does. 
  • Place computers in common areas where supervision can occur. Remember that smart phones have internet access, too!
  • Sign an internet safety pledge with your child.
  • Create and post internet use guidelines and rules.
  • Know your child's passwords, screen names and account information.
  • Advise your children against downloading items from unknown sources. The items may be inappropriate for your children to see, may contain copyrighted material, or may infect your computer with viruses.
  • Learn as much as you can about the internet and the places your children are visiting. Keep current on child exploitation trends on the internet.
  • Report online child exploitation incidents to the CyberTipline. You can also contact the Wisconsin ICAC Task Force at (608) 266-1671, or call local law enforcement.
  • Basic Online Safety Steps: Interact!

The Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation's ICAC Task Force, in partnership with Task Force affiliates, offers online safety presentations for events upon request. Due to staffing limitation and scheduling issues, flexibility may be required. If you are hosting a conference or large-group event and would like to request an Internet safety presentation, please send your request to icac@doj.state.wi.us.


Resources & Materials

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC)
www.missingkids.org
1-800-THE-LOST
1-800-843-5678
Report online child exploitation incidents to the CyberTipline. NCMEC's CyberTipline is the nation's centralized reporting system for the online exploitation of children.

NetSmartz
www.NetSmartz.org
1-800-THE-LOST
1-800-843-5678
NetSmartz is the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC)'s online safety education program. It provides age-appropriate videos and activities to help teach children to be safer online.

Gaming/Online Resources
http://www.esrb.org/
The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) is the non-profit, self-regulatory body that assigns ratings for video games and apps so parents can make informed choices. The ESRB rating system encompasses guidance about age-appropriateness, content, and interactive elements.


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