January 26, 2007

            LANSING - Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox released a consumer alert listing the top ten ways parents can protect their children from the dangers of the Internet. 

            "I have always made protecting children a top priority," said Cox.  "The Internet can be a good tool or a dangerous device.  However, parents need to know some simple tips in order to protect children from the dangers of the Internet.  The best place to begin the fight against Internet predators starts at home."

            Below are ten quick tips parents can follow in order to better protect their children from dangers on the Internet:

1. Create clear and simple ground rules for children to follow.

2. Place a computer with Internet access in a location that is visible to other members of the family, a high traffic area in the home.

3. Never give out identifying information - home address, school name, or telephone number - in a public forum such as a chat room or a bulletin board (newsgroup) or to people you do not know.

4. Make sure children know they can come to you if they feel threatened or encounter any sort of problem online.

5. Get to know the Internet and any services your child uses.

6. Become familiar with blocking and monitoring programs.

7. Never allow a child to arrange a face-to-face meeting with another computer user without parental permission or accompaniment. 

8. Never respond to messages or bulletin board items that are suggestive, obscene, belligerent, threatening, or make you feel uncomfortable.

9. Report inappropriate messages to law enforcement.

10. Remember that people online may not be who they seem and that everything you read online may not be true.

The consumer alert also contains useful information about additional resources available on Internet safety.

"We need to actively embrace our responsibility as parents to protect our children, whether from strangers on the sidewalk or strangers on the Web," added Cox.  "I encourage all parents to take this seriously - protect your kids from the dangers of the Internet."

To illustrate the potential problem, Cox's Child and Public Protection Unit has arrested 118 Internet sexual predators. 

"These arrests prove there are predators online actively soliciting our children," said Cox.  "Both parents and children need to exercise caution and common sense."

Child sexually abusive activity is a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and/or a $100,000 fine.  Using the Internet to communicate with another individual to commit child sexually abusive activity is also a felony and is punishable by up to 20 years in prison and/or a $20,000 fine. 

A copy of the consumer alert is available from the Consumer Protection Division by calling 1-877-SOLVE-88 (1-877-765-8388) or by accessing the Attorney General's Web site www.michigan.gov/ag.

Copies are also available from the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division by mail:  Department of Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division, P.O. Box 30213, Lansing, MI 48909.

Consumers interested in receiving electronic mail notification of Attorney General Consumer Alerts can sign up on the Attorney General's home page (www.michigan.gov/ag) by accessing the "Join the AG Mailing List" icon. 

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