Today is Safer Internet Day. The Michigan State Police remind families to be extra vigilant as kids are spending more time online for school and recreation. The benefits of the internet are “amazing”, according to the State Police, but there are risks associated with being online and using social media.
The State Police advise parents to talk with their children about online risks so they know how to identify suspicious behavior. They also recommend that parents stay involved in the digital worlds of their children, from schoolwork to Minecraft to Snapchat, and always know with whom their children are connecting online.
Information about privacy and security settings can be found at the State Police’s Michigan Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force website. There is specific information about Chromebooks, which nearly every student has for both in-class and virtual learning.
The website also has a link to information about the many apps available to and targeted at children. There are many that have disappearing messages or have ways to conceal messages from parents.
If children are contacted with inappropriate messages, a cyber tip can be submitted to the Michigan State Police at michiganicac.com or 1-877-MI-CYBER.
Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland
