Keeping Kids Safe On The Internet

By: Rob Baquera Public Information Officer Roseville Police Department

For the past few months, many students have been distance learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and no one knows how the rest of the school year will unfold. Even the youngest students have mastered the routine of logging in every morning for class. Technology has allowed for education to continue despite the pandemic. However, with kids spending more time online, many parents have safety concerns. Whether you have a high school or elementary student at home, internet dangers remain the same.

Here are a few that you may have on your radar: • Predators – When your child is online, the world is at their fingertips. Predators may pretend to be children or teenagers in order to talk to kids online. They may use a fake profile picture and add other profile details to appear more convincing. Predators may try to arrange a face-to-face meeting with a child or teen. Even if the person seems nice, this can be dangerous. • Cyberbullying – This was a problem before COVID 19, but cyberbullying may be even more common. With the increased stress and pressures, some may turn to the internet as an outlet. This is often through instant messaging, text messages, emails, and social networks. Cyberbullies may be the same age as the victims, or they may be older. • Privacy – Like many adults, kids love to use social media to connect and share with their friends. However, it’s important for parents to remind their children that there are more strangers than friends online. Kids need to realize that once they post online, even in the most “private” way, it can’t be taken back and could come back to haunt them for years.

With kids spending more time online for school, parents need to be proactive when it comes to online safety. Minimize the dangers your child faces online by monitoring their distance learning, setting limits on screen time, and teaching them how to be safe online.

Monitor your child’s online learning.

Get to know what platform your child’s school is using and become familiar with it. Additionally, take a genuine interest in what types of games and apps your child enjoys during their free time. This will help you better understand what your child is doing online. For older children, it is not necessary to watch over their shoulder. However, look over their learning material and make sure you understand what they will be required to do online.

Set limits and monitor internet use.

Know your child’s school schedule. What time do they go online for school and for how long? Set time limits for internet use outside of schoolwork to ensure your child is spending time on other healthy activities. Consider having an open-door policy when your child uses the internet in their room so they’re not tempted to hide inappropriate activity.

Teach your child internet safety practices.

Since you can’t oversee every minute your children are online, it’s important to teach them about internet dangers and how to keep safe. Having an open dialogue with your children will build trust and allow them to come to you when problems arise. Most importantly, teach your children what to do if they become the victim of a predator or online attack.

Depending on your child’s age, here are a few basic safety tips that you can build upon. • Never give out personal information (i.e. name, birth date, or location). • Never meet someone from an online conversation, even if the person seems nice. It’s easy for predators to disguise themselves. • Use school-appropriate behavior in forums. Don’t post information that could hurt others or themselves. • Protect passwords and change them regularly. • Let your child know they can always come to you with concerns or questions. Whether your child is online for school, to use social media, or play games, safety is a real concern. It’s important to teach kids about online dangers and how to be internet safe.

UC Master Gardeners of Placer County Release Their 2021 Garden Guide Calendar Smart Choices For Gardening Success

There has been a surge this year in people interested in growing their own food and the UC Master Gardeners of Placer County have published a unique Gardening Guide and Calendar that taps into that interest and can help Northern Californians, from beginners to experts, create, grow, and harvest a healthy, sustainable garden.

The 29th edition of the Guide/Calendar presents the latest and the best University of California researched information as you follow the calendar through 13 months of in-depth articles and daily tips timed to the changing seasons. Do you want to know how to protect your plants for winter or how to encourage bees in your garden? This publication has the information for you.

Each month you will learn what to plant during the month and also what is in season at the local markets. Additional charts, tables, and resources, accompanied by beautiful local photos, provide a wealth of information that any level of gardener will appreciate.

Calendars are available at nurseries and businesses in Placer, Nevada, and El Dorado counties, and through the UC Master Gardeners of Placer County website. A list of vendors and how-to-order details can be found at: http://pcmg.ucanr.org/2021_Calendar

The 2021 Gardening Guide and Calendar is an important fund-raiser for the organization and one of many ways in which master gardeners serve the community. For information about other master gardener activities and events, visit the UC Master Gardeners of Placer County website at: pcmg.ucanr.org or call (530) 889-7388.