Delaware State Police

Internet Safety

Safer Internet Day

Tuesday, February 11, 2025

This is an annual campaign for the National Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program. The Delaware State Police is a strong partner in Delaware’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force where we find value in the protection of children. We have provided Internet Safety resources below. These resources may help prevent unsafe online practices or instances of child exploitation. There is also useful information for guidance if an incident has already occurred. More information about Safer Internet Day can be found at saferinternetday.us.

Tip 1:

Keep the Ground Rules

Even if our online habits have changed significantly, you can still set boundaries that work for your family and schedule. Involving children in setting these rules help them stick to the guidelines.

Consider:

Distance learning tasks BEFORE social media or gaming

NO DEVICES during meals

At least __ MINUTES if non-electronic activities per day

“DIGITAL CURFEW”: No devices after a certain hour

Tip 2:

Modify How You Monitor

Event the strictest monitoring programs and content blockers can’t ensure that children are totally protected online. The best tools for keeping kids safe are time, attention and active conversation about digital behaviors.

Consider:

Setting up WORKSTATIONS for children and teens that provide QUICK VISUAL ACCESS to the screens for EASY CHECK-INS from parents/caretakers as they telework or complete household tasks.

Tip 3:

Engage with the Platforms

Take advantage of this time at home and online to get more familiar with the technology platforms your child likes to use. Taking a genuine interest in the games and platforms your child enjoys will help you better understand what your child is doing online.

Consider:

If you’re teleworking, TAKE A SHORT BREAK to join your child on a round on the GAME CONSOLE, or forward a funny MEME or VIDEO you saw on one of the social media channels they use. It’s a quick way to show you’re willing and able to be INVOLVED in your child’s online life.

Tip 4:

Chat IRL

Chat “in real life” with your children. With our social lives being conducted entirely online these days, it’s important to have face-t0-face discussions about how children and teens are maintaining healthy relationships online, and to give them opportunities to also talk about anything unhealthy or uncomfortable happening to them online.

Consider:

Showing that you’re willing to LISTEN AND RESPOND CALMLY, even if what you hear is uncomfortable or troubling.

Tip 5:

Don’t Take the Tech

Taking away internet access because a child has made a mistake online rarely solves the problem. Taking access away during a lockdown would likely do far more harm that good. Beyond affecting a child’s ability to complete distance-learning tasks, it would all but completely isolate them from friends and other family; a support system that is essential right now. Find ways to give consequences that don’t involve removing online access entirely.

Consider:

If you must, LIMIT ACCESS (shorter window for digital socializing, gaming, restricted use to certain public areas or the house, etc.) RATHER THAN removing it entirely.

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC)

• To Report Online Exploitation – CyberTipline: https://www.missingkids.org/gethelpnow/cybertipline
• Internet Safety Resources for Parents, Educators and Communities: https://www.missingkids.org/netsmartz/resources
• Into The Cloud: https://www.missingkids.org/netsmartz/intothecloud
• Your Photo Fate:
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch ?v=dSblXZAkTlk
Discussion Guide: https://www.missingkids.org/content/dam/netsmartz/downloadable/discussionguides/your-photo-fate-discussion-guide.pdf
• Sextortion videos and resources; The Hidden Pandemic Documentary clips and discussion guides: https://www.missingkids.org/netsmartz/topics/sextortion
• Interactive Financial Sextortion Video Resource: No Escape Room https://noescaperoom.org/
• Community Education Partner Program: https://connect.missingkids.org/learn, Click Register for Free Online Training Opportunities
• Victims and Family Support: https://www.missingkids.org/gethelpnow/support
• Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) Survivor Resources: https://www.missingkids.org/gethelpnow/csam-resources
• Is Your Explicit Content Out There?: https://www.missingkids.org/gethelpnow/isyourexplicitcontentoutthere

Thorn Foundation

• Parent Resources: https://parents.thorn.org
• Sextortion Resources: https://www.thorn.org/sextortion/
• Self-Generated Content Research: https://info.thorn.org/hubfs/Research/22 YouthMonitoring Report.pdf

Child Rescue Coalition

• Parent and youth resources: https://childrescuecoalition.org/education/
• Empower your Children – Help for Parents: https://youtu.be/kXlklgmZLTA
• Every Parent’s Nightmare -A Victim’s Perspective: https://youtu.be/Xmq37ToViMI
• The Internet is our Crime Scene – Law Enforcement’s Perspective? https://youtu.be/AFBVvpmWzrQ