TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (By the News Service of Florida) -- Attorney General Pam Bondi’s office is reminding parents to talk to their kids about cyber safety this holiday season.
Many young children will be getting their first smart phone or gaming console for Christmas, and with more free time on their hands, kids will likely be spending hours online.
The attorney general says online games, apps and social media sites are easy places for teens to be targeted by predators. AG spokesman Whitney Ray says parents should always know their children’s passwords and review all of their smart phone, social media and other online activity.
“It is always important to be active in your children’s online life," Ray says. "Know who they are following, what apps they have downloaded, and also we say that a child’s privacy is not worth their safety. So, you should check their accounts regularly and know who they follow and who they friend.”
According to Ray, nine of every 10 teenagers in Florida have access to the internet through a mobile device.
More tips for parents from the attorney general include turning off the GPS coordinates on smart phones, reviewing the pictures kids send and receive, and having a conversation with children about what is and is not appropriate to talk to strangers about while online.
