Warn Kids to Avoid Online Strangers

One in five children was harassed online during the past year, according to a survey of nearly 1,500 Internet users ages 10 to 17. Because online harassment is so common, Internet safety experts advise parents to teach kids certain online safety rules. Here’s what you can stress with your children:

• Don’t talk to strangers online.
• Be careful about sharing personal information with people you don’t know.
• Refrain from putting strangers on your online “buddy lists.”
• Change your login name or block someone from sending messages to your account if you are harassed.
• Don’t start problems by making rude or nasty comments about others online.