The US Senate has designated June as National Internet Safety month, calling on Internet safety organizations, law enforcement, educators, community leaders, parents, and volunteers to increase their efforts to raise the level of awareness regarding the need for online safety.

The Internet has transformed the way that people research, shop, conduct business, and communicate. But the Internet and technologies that enable online interaction and access to a variety of content can be a perilous place for minors. The dangers are real and parents and teachers today are confronted with many threats that they simply do not understand.

According to the US Government:

80 percent of the children of the United States in grades 5 through 12 are online for at least 1 hour per week 41 percent of students in grades 5 through 12 do not share with their parents what they do on the Internet 24 percent of students in grades 5 through 12 have hidden their online activities from their parents 31 percent of the students in grades 5 through 12 have the skill to circumvent Internet filter software 61 percent of the students admit to using the Internet unsafely or inappropriately 20 percent of middle school and high school students have met face-to-face with someone they first met online 23 percent of students know someone who has been bullied online 47 percent of parents feel that their ability to monitor and shelter their children from inappropriate material on the Internet is limited 61 percent of parents want to be more personally involved with Internet safety

The Internet provides unparalleled opportunities for socially beneficial endeavors — such as education, research, commerce, entertainment, and discourse on public affairs — in ways that we may not now even be able to imagine. By the same token, however, individuals who wish to use a computer as a tool to facilitate unlawful activity may find that the Internet provides a vast, inexpensive, and potentially anonymous way to commit unlawful acts. — US Department of Justice

Common Sense Tips for Social Networking: No social networking for kids in middle school or younger. Balance your teen's need for privacy and self-expression with concerns about safety and responsibility. Forbidding social networking sites probably won't work for kids in high school, so focus your energies on appropriate postings and safety information. Create safe privacy settings. Make sure they're set for “friends only.” Tell kids to think about their photos and entries before they’re posted. Since anything can be downloaded and forwarded, ask your kids if they want the world to see what they post. Remind them that future colleges or potential employers could be checking them out. Make sure they avoid all personal identifiers and avoid postings about parties, events, or activities where a stranger could find them. Don't let kids meet strangers.

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