Many parents are already starting to feel that sense of dread as we move ever closer to the start of the school year. For some it’s because those expensive school supply lists are beginning to arrive in the mailbox or inbox; for others because we dread the early morning departure or afternoon homework routines. But don’t count summer over just yet. And if your kids are bored, done with camps and vacations, maybe they’ve turned to the computer to fill some time. If so, make sure you are watching their online activities.
With 90% of children between the ages of 5 and 17 using computers and 1 in 5 youth receiving unwanted sexual solicitations online*, it’s a fact that the Internet is a dangerous place for many children. Yet even more parents are unaware of the dangers faced daily by children online, and of those parents who are aware, they are unsure how to protect children.
So the effort to help parents, professionals, and child advocates, Monique Burr Foundation for Children, Inc. created the MBF Prevention Education Programs that include digital and internet safety prevention. And how great is it that others are taking notice and acting as well?
Facebook and Time Warner have joined forces to help stop cyberbullying, a real and dangerous threat facing youth today. Read more about their Initiative, Stop Cyberbullying, Speak Up and their joint efforts here.
And although Facebook rules require a teen to be 13 to create a profile, let’s not be that naïve – there are much younger kids on social networking sites and ALL parents need to be educated and vigilant. Florida’s Kindergarten – 12th-grade students will learn Internet Safety and Cyberbullying prevention tips as MBF Programs are delivered in all Florida public schools and other youth-serving organizations across the U.S. But why wait? Parents, go to MBF Resources to download information and tips so you can become educated and empowered and teach your kids to be smarter and safer online now!
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
MBF Online Trainings and Resources
MBF Prevention Education Programs Overview
Safety Brief: Partnering with Schools
Additional resources can be found at https://www.mbfpreventioneducation.org/resources/.
*http://kidsafe.com/freereports/Internet%20STATS%20Presented%20By%20CEN.pdf
Categorized in: Blog, Monique Burr Foundation News