StoneBridge Community Church

Internet Safety

Did you know

Missouri is 8th in the nation when it comes to the number of offenders listed in state registries. [Source: FamilyWatchDog, LLC]
In the state of Missouri, more sexual predators were federally indicted on a per capita basis than in any other state in the country. Additionally, the number of cases prosecuted in the state of Missouri has more than tripled since 2000. [Source: US Department of Justice 3.22.07]
More than 90% of both parents and kids could not identify the appropriate authority (i.e. local police, FBI, CyberTipline or an Internet Service Provider) to report unwanted online incidents. [Source: National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) 2006 - Online Victimization of Youth, 5 years later]

Here is what you can do to keep your friends and family safe online:

Learn About the Issues - Do your homework on the latest online trends and the potential risks. Please see our resources section.

Communication is Key - Talk to your children and know who they are talking to/spending time with BOTH online and offline.

Protect Your Identity - Think TWICE before posting personal information on the internet including names, passwords, contact information, as well as pictures which could give clues about your life, where you live etc. Remember: if it's on the internet, it's NOT PRIVATE!

Take Action - Contact your local law enforcement and CyberTipline if you or someone you know feels threatened or in danger. Together, these agencies will take steps to keep you and your family safe.

To find out more about Internet Safety, use these websites as a resource:

www.icacmo.org - Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force of Missouri, a law enforcement and community resource for the investigation and prevention of online crimes.

www.inobtr.org - INOBTR "I Know Better" is Missouri's public awareness initiative to help keep children safe online.

www.cybertipline.com - (1-800-THE LOST) The 911 of the internet, the resource to report cybercrimes.

www.ikeepsafe.org - I Keep Safe Foundation's website uses an animated icon/mascot named Faux Paw the Techno Cat to teach children and parents the importance of protecting personal information and avoiding inappropriate places on the internet.

www.netsmartz.org - Netsmartz is the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's (NCMEC) Internet Safety resource and education program targeting children K-12, parents and educators.

www.projectsafechildhood.gov - Project Safe Childhood (PSC) is a nationwide Department of Justice initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse.

www.webwisekids.org - Web Wise Kids (WWK) is a non-profit organization specializing in providing easy to use, school approved internet safety education for youth ages 11-16.