As your Sheriff, and as a parent myself, I know there’s nothing more important than the safety of our children. In today’s world, keeping our kids safe means not only protecting them in the real world but also online.
Social media can be a great way for kids to stay connected with friends over the summer and creatively express themselves, but it also opens the door to serious risks like online predators, cyberbullying, scams, and exposure to inappropriate content.
Children and teens are innocent, they often do not realize how much of their personal information they’re sharing. Sharing a simple photo of a sign where they are or a vacation they are on can be just enough information in the wrong hands. This is where we, as parents and guardians, come in. I encourage you to talk regularly with your children about their online activity.
Here are a few things you can do:
- Talk to your children about safe internet use.
- Check their phones, game consoles and other devices regularly.
- Chat with them about what they can share and things should never share.
- Set clear boundaries, explain their screen time limits and why they can only use appropriate apps.
- Familiarize yourself with apps, games, and websites your kids are on.
- Look into privacy settings and community guidelines. Different platforms have different controls and settings.
- Teach them to think before they post. Help them understand that online posts are permanent.
- Teach them not to trust everything they see online and to question/report messages from strangers.
- Make sure your child feels safe coming to you if they experience anything uncomfortable or scary online
In law enforcement we see firsthand how quickly online threats can escalate. Anything from hurtful words to extreme threats, these situations are real. Keeping our kids safe is a team effort, it takes all of us working together; parents, schools, law enforcement, and our community.
For more information or to contact my office, please visit www.orangecountygov.com and click on the Sheriff’s Office links or contact us at OCNYSheriff@orangecountygov.com.
