You do many things at home to protect your family, but when it comes to children and computers, it can be difficult to know what to do. The articles, tools and recommended websites on this page help families use safe computer practices at home.
Announcing BeSeen
BeSeen
is a free mobile application created by Carnegie Mellon University and Web Wise Kids.
The app is an educational game designed to teach youth how to be responsible in social networks by securing their private and personal information, protecting their online reputation and defending their peers. Download the app for free from the App Store
and Google Play. 
Articles
- A Parent's Role in Putting a Stop to Cyberbullying – As kids take bullying online, parents can give children the guidance they need to avoid big trouble.
- Are you a n00b at Internet slang? – These references can help parents interpret their children who chat online.
- Children on Social Networking Sites – Sites designed specifically for children give an early introduction to online social networking. What are the pros and cons?
- Fan Fiction on the Edge – Fans of children's books and movies may post Web content that is very inappropriate for young readers.
- Feeling Confident About Allowing Kids Online – Software gives parents more say over how kids browse the Internet.
- How To Report Cyber Crimes – Several authoritative resources are available to deal with the many issues that arise online.
- Keep Your Kids Safe from Online Predators – Predators use the anonymity of the Internet to quickly create intimate relationships with children. Here's what you can do to make sure your kids don't become victims.
- Kids and Popularity Go Digital – In addition to keeping tabs on cliques and bullies, parents need to keep an eye on their children's friends list.
- Kids and Popularity Go Digital – In addition to keeping tabs on cliques and bullies, parents need to keep an eye on their children's friends list.
- Protecting Privacy Despite Social Networking Trends – Exploring new social networking trends safely and responsibly
- Setting Up a Secure Network at Home – Pointers on how to secure your home network.
- Should Your Child Have a Cell Phone? – Kids love mobile phones, but they need to learn how to use them responsibly.
- The Cell Phone Guide for Families with Children – Everything families need to know.
- The Dangers of Webcams – Kids these days are used to sharing their lives with the world on blogs and social networking sites. And now, through the use of webcams, kids are able to give the world a window right into their bedrooms.
- The Scoop on Social Networking – Parents need to know as much about social networking as their children do.
- Why Kids (and Bullies) Love Formspring – The anonymity of this online playground gives cyberbullies the strength they don't have to be mean in person.
- YouTube: What To Know To Protect Kids Online – Help your teens safely and securely express themselves, share with their peers, and have fun on YouTube.
Carnegie Cadets: The MySecureCyberspace Game
Games are a great way for families to come together to learn Internet safety and computer security. A free game, available for download and designed for upper elementary school children, is The MySecureCyberspace Game. To access it, parents just need to register and follow instructions to download the game at the Carnegie Cyber Academy Web site
. Browse the Carnegie Cyber Academy Web site to learn more about the characters and the content of the game. The Fun Stuff
page offers some fun extras with special mini-games for holidays and special events.
Recommended videos for families
The MySecureCyberspace Channel
on YouTube provides some quick videos on trending topics.
Video Library:
Microsoft provides a collection of brief videos on a variety of cybersecurity topics.
Recommended sites for families
- Carnegie Cyber Academy

- Commonsense Media

- Family Online Safety Institute

- Kids' Pages
(U.S. Patent and Trademark Office) - NSA CryptoKids

- On Guard Online

- Social Networking Basics for Parents
(iKeepSafe.org) - Web Wise Kids

More online safety links
- A Comprehensive Computer Safety and Security Guide
(Certified Staffing Solutions)
- A Parent's Guide to Kids' Online Safety
(Esentia Systems) - Cyber-Safety
(Rob Nickel)
- Identifying Hoaxes and Urban Legends
(Department of Homeland Security) - Internet Safety Resources
(Royal Canadian Mounted Police)
- Parents Guide to Internet Safety
(Commonsense Media)
- Resources for Digital and Media Literacy
(Media Awareness Network)
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