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Internet Safety for Our Children

The District Attorney has established a team of specially-trained Assistant District Attorneys to educate parents and students about the dangers that our children face in the new, global Internet. Our team has developed an interactive program for use in elementary schools, using original material as well as material developed by NetSmartz, part of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

The first component of this is a series of in-school seminars. In April 2008, a pilot program was established and a partnership made with the New York City Department of Education, Community Education Council District 15, and the District 15 Parent Advocate and Superintendent. The program will be duplicated throughout Brooklyn, so that each Community Education Council will be able to partner with the District Attorney's office to provide Internet safety seminars for both students and parents.

As the first phase of this plan, specialist Assistant District Attorneys will be organizing events at Middle and Public School classes throughout District 15 in Red Hook, Carroll Gardens, Windsor Terrace, Gowanus, Boerum Hill, Prospect Heights, and Park Slope.

Internet Safety for Kids: Guidelines for Parents

  1. Most importantly, keep the computer in a common family room, not a child's bedroom.
  2. Spend time with your children online. Have them teach you about their favorite online destinations.
  3. Make sure your children understand not to give out any personal information online. That includes not just in chat rooms, but also on any web site, including social networking sites or their own home page.
  4. Talk to children about what to do if they see something that makes them feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused. Show them how to turn off the monitor and emphasize that it's not their fault if they see something upsetting. Remind children to tell a trusted adult if they see something that bothers them online.
  5. Harassment is harassment, online or off. If someone is engaging in illegal activity involving your children, such as threatening their safety or exposing them to unnecessary danger, they may be in violation of the law. Do not erase any offensive material until you report it to the local police. Do so as soon as possible.
Paid for by Friends of Charles J. Hynes.

321 Broadway, 6th Floor, New York NY 10007. 212-608-4342. contact@charlesjhynes.com