Protect Their Reputation, Safety, Security

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Tips to Help Keep the Conversation Straightforward
• Key Topics to Discuss
• Frequently Asked Questions By Your Child

Introduction

Why Tell:

Parents – we know your child may not be thrilled that you are monitoring their online activity using SafetyWeb, and to keep your child from feeling like you are spying on them, we believe open communication is one of the best ways to help build trust. By talking with your child about your decision to use SafetyWeb, you will be letting them know that you’re not spying on them, but rather, you are helping keep them safe online. Below are some helpful tips on how to broach the subjects about SafetyWeb and your child’s safety and privacy online.

Tips

If you decide to talk to your child in person, here are some tips to help keep the conversation straightforward and as light as possible:

• Tell Your Child Immediately:  Don’t wait.  Keeping your decision to use SafetyWeb from your child may make them think you’ve been invading their privacy.
• Stay Positive:  Remind your child they’ve done nothing wrong, and you aren’t punishing them.  Tell them how you want to use a convenient tool that helps you keep an eye on their online activity from one place.
• Get the Facts:  Check out the information below to make sure you have answers to all your child’s questions about SafetyWeb.
• Be Honest:  Share your reasons for wanting to know what they are doing online.  Be specific and talk about the reasons you want to keep them safe from others, and how you want to make sure their reputation isn’t compromised by the wrong photos or posts.

Key Topics

Some key topics you should bring up with your child include:

REPUTATION:
Let your child know that posting something online can reflect negatively on their reputation forever. SafetyWeb helps you know what is posted by your child publicly, so you can help them manage their online reputation.

“Don’t post anything online that you wouldn’t want a teacher, college admissions director or future employer to read.“

“Everything you say online can be used to evaluate you for a college application or a future job position. Make sure you are saying things on Facebook and other sites that you would be proud to share with the whole world.”

“When you post negative language online, it reflects on your personal reputation and will be difficult to erase in the future. Please be careful about the language and words you use to express yourself online.”

PRIVACY:
Let your child know you are concerned about their privacy, and that SafetyWeb helps you monitor when privacy settings change.

“While your privacy settings may be private now, sometimes they can change without your knowing it. SafetyWeb helps me know whether your profiles are public or private, so I can help you set your privacy settings appropriately”

“Make sure you don’t post private information online that could be used by people with bad intentions. This means don’t post your home address, phone numbers, social security number, or passwords.”

PEOPLE:
Tell your child that not everyone is who they say they are on the Internet, and that making friends online should be done carefully with people they know and trust. Let them know how SafetyWeb shows you their list of online friends, so you can help them stay away from strangers or people with bad intentions. Also let them know your policy of ‘adult friends’ over 21 – whether or not your child is allowed to be friends with non-relatives or people who aren’t family friends over the age of 21.

“Just as I want to know who you are friends with in real life, it’s important that I know who your friends are online. If you become friends with an adult or stranger online, SafetyWeb will alert me.”

PHOTOS:
Remember that a picture is worth a thousand words, and pictures on the Internet can last forever. Let your child know what kinds of photos are and are not okay to post online, even among private friends. Warn your child that nude or revealing photos of themselves or others can be considered child pornography in some states, putting them or their friends at potential risk for getting arrested or in trouble with law enforcement.

“I trust that you won’t post nude or inappropriate photos of yourself or your friends engaging in illegal or unsafe activities. I’ll be alerted to any photos you post and will be sure to help you manage your photo activity so that no one posts an inappropriate photo of you.”

MOBILE:
If your child has their own cell phone that you pay for, make sure they are aware of your cell phone usage rules. Are they allowed to text during school or not? What time must the phone ‘stay off’ for the evening? Is there anyone they are not allowed to text or call? Let them know SafetyWeb helps you monitor their cell phone usage and alerts you when unsafe activity occurs.

“We have an agreement that you won’t text during school hours, and I trust you will abide by it. Just be sure that you know I am monitoring your usage. You can keep your cell phone privileges as long as your honor our agreement.”

“If someone is texting or calling you without your permission, please let me know, and I’ll help you stop them. But even if you don’t tell me, I want you to know I’ll be able to monitor who is texting and calling you, to be sure that you’re safe with your cell phone.”

Frequently Asked Questions By Your Child

Q. Why are you using SafetyWeb? We are already friends on Facebook!

A. With SafetyWeb, I don’t have to read every single post you make on Facebook. In fact, you have more freedom from me with SafetyWeb, because it alerts me to the activity that I need to be concerned about from a safety standpoint.  I get information from SafetyWeb that I don’t see just  by being your friend on Facebook, and it saves me time so I won’t hassle you as much about what you’re posting.

Q. I feel like you’re spying on my every word, why are you using this SafetyWeb thing?

A. I’m not spying on you. In fact, I’m giving you the privilege of access to Facebook and the rest of the Internet. I’ll simply be alerted immediately if something you or others do is unsafe or could harm your privacy or reputation.

Q. Why do you need to monitor my cell phone? I’m only texting my friends.

A. I trust that you are going to use your cell phone safely, but I don’t necessarily trust other people. If someone starts calling or texting you, and I don’t recognize the number, I’ll be able to find out who that person is and when they are contacting you, to make sure they aren’t bullying you or harassing you on your phone.