{"id":7750,"date":"2016-09-27T16:42:09","date_gmt":"2016-09-27T21:42:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dev.thechicagoschool.edu\/"},"modified":"2025-12-04T15:20:32","modified_gmt":"2025-12-04T21:20:32","slug":"stay-safe-online","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thechicagoschool.edu\/insight\/community\/stay-safe-online\/","title":{"rendered":"Stay safe online"},"content":{"rendered":"

Less than a year after being rescued from her abductor by the FBI, Alicia Kozakiewicz began fighting back by becoming an advocate for stronger laws<\/a> to protect children online.<\/p>\n

Here are some tips she shares on the website for her nonprofit advocacy organization\u00a0The Alicia Project<\/a>:<\/h3>\n
    \n
  1. Teach your child or teen to never share private or identifying information, such as his or her name, address, school, etc., with a person online that is not known or trusted in real life. A predator can use this information to groom and\/or locate your child or teen.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
      \n
    1. Strengthen the privacy settings on all social networking sites and ensure that these settings remain unchanged after updates. Social networking sites often publish posts as \u201cpublic\u201d based on the default settings.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
        \n
      1. Disable Geotagging on all mobile devices, as it has the ability to automatically pinpoint and disclose your child\u2019s or teen\u2019s location. This option can usually be found under \u201cSettings\u201d on most devices. You can also contact your service provider or device manufacturer.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
          \n
        1. Discuss the dangers of \u201cchecking in.\u201d Various applications allow your child or teen to share his or her exact current location on social media sites.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
            \n
          1. Remind your child or teen to choose an online handle, username, or screen name carefully. Much can be inferred from how your child or teen represents himself or herself online, which can prompt a predator\u2019s initial contact.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
              \n
            1. Monitor your child\u2019s or teen\u2019s activity on the computer and on all mobile devices. This includes desktops, laptops, tablet computers, cell phones, and all handheld and video game devices with online connectivity. There are numerous parental monitoring options available online or through your service provider. Please, do not feel that you are \u201cspying\u201d on your child or teen. You are the parent. This is your responsibility.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                \n
              1. Know the passwords on all devices used by your child or teen. Check them regularly.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                  \n
                1. If you suspect your child or teen is being cyberbullied: be supportive, get the facts, and if necessary, contact the school or law enforcement. Conversely, teach your child or teen that there are negative consequences for those who cyberbully.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                    \n
                  1. Many children and teens engage in sexting. This is the sharing of explicit texts\/photos between phones or other devices. Sending and\/or receiving nude pictures of minors is considered child pornography. As a result, there may be both emotional and legal consequences for both you and your child or teen.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                      \n
                    1. Educate yourself on the mobile applications that your child or teen is using. Ask for an explanation and a demonstration.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                      Being a parent in today\u2019s modern age is tough but maintaining loving, open, and respectful lines of communication with your child or teen while setting enforceable rules for online safety will go a long way to protect them. He or she must always feel that they can come to you for help in an uncomfortable or potentially dangerous situation. Most importantly, if you believe your child or teen is being groomed, harassed, threatened, or exploited online, immediately report this activity<\/a> to your local law enforcement and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children\u2019s cyber tip line<\/a>.<\/p>\n

                      \n

                      Learn more about The Chicago School<\/strong><\/p>\n

                      The Chicago School offers a range of academic programs that can prepare you to positively impact mental health. Fill out the information below to request more information, or you can apply today through our application portal.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/section>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                      Top tips to keep kids safe online from The Alicia Project founder and TCSPP alumna, Alicia Kozakiewicz.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":107208,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[191],"tags":[],"coauthors":[1062],"class_list":["post-7750","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community","insight_issues-fall-2016"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nOnline Safety - Important Tips to Keep Kids Safe Online | TCSPP<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"After experiencing a terrible situation as a teen, Alicia Kozakiewicz began to advocate for stronger laws to protect kids online. 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