Here are a few documents and/or safety tips related to the new trend of online gaming, Xbox and Playstation3 and online chat acronyms that Inspector Donovan of the Woburn PD forwarded along.

Parent should understand that the internet is world wide and that “blocks” provided by internet service providers may not be enough.

 

 

Some helpful sites:

NetSmartz - NetParents - Learn more about the issues, Keep Teens Safer, Teach Internet Safety.  Communication is an effective tool for parents and guardians when helping their children avoid the dangers that exist on the Internet. NetSmartz provides on- and offline learning activities for parents to facilitate discussions with their children and teens about Internet safety. Visit "Parent FAQ" to learn more about how and why parents should use NetSmartz.

 

Netsmarts411 - NetSmartz411 is parents' and guardians' premier, online resource for answering questions about Internet safety, computers, and the Web.  Sometimes adults feel like they don't know quite as much as their children do about the Internet. This site is your opportunity to learn more.  Your question will be answered by professionals who know a lot about Internet safety – the real-life analysts at the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.

 

The NetLingo List of Acronyms & Text Message Shorthand - With more than 82 million people texting regularly, it's no wonder you've seen this cryptic looking code!  Commonly used wherever people get online -- including IMing, SMSing, cell phones, Blackberries, PDAs, Web sites, games, newsgroup postings, in chat rooms, on blogs -- these abbreviations are used by people to communicate with each other.

GetNetWise - The Internet offers kids many opportunities for learning, constructive entertainment, and personal growth. At the same time, parents are concerned about the risks kids face online. The challenge for parents is to educate themselves and their children about how to use the Internet safely. GetNetWise can help.

Facebook provides information on Facebook Safety that parents should read if their child is using Facebook.  Once you or your child have a Facebook account, make sure to review the security settings to specify how much information is shared and who can view it.

What should parents know about social networking sites? Nancy McBride, National Safety Director, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has created some short videos discussing these topics.