"Today's children are being weaned on video games and quickly move to computers. Society has high hopes for this technically literate generation, but the proliferation of microcomputers and computer literacy also means that more and more assets will be stored on computer systems and the community of potential computer criminals will increase astronomically." 

 With the ever increasing development of computer technology and the increasing number of people who are computer literate, it is much more likely that our children may be victimized or exploited in a computer environment. The "Information Super Highway" which is made up of Bulletin Board (BBS) services, commercial on-line services such as Prodigy, America On-line, CompuServe and the Internet allow millions of people around the world to communicate anonymously in a virtually uncontrolled electronic world. If your child has a home computer or access to a friends computer, particularly if the computer is connected to a phone line via a modem, please take the time to review this guide.  Just as we tell our children not to talk to strangers and watch and direct where they will go and who they meet in the "real world" we need to be aware of the dangers in the electronic world and exercise these same cautions. Parents have unknowingly allowed their children to invite criminals into their homes via computer that resulted in the child becoming involved in criminal activities and all too often victimized by persons who would never have been allowed in the home by the parents. 

Advise your children to observe the following safety rules whenever they are on-line. Remind them that no matter how safe or friendly a BBS seems (and this includes the major on-line services), there is always a potential for danger.

Never give out any personal information about themselves - particularly real names, addresses, phone numbers, financial information, etc. to anyone that they meet on computer bulletin boards. 

Avoid responding to anyone who leaves them obnoxious, sexual or menacing E-mail. They should not become involved in public "Flame" sessions as they have no idea who they are dealing with and what access an individual may have to their personal or on-line account information. 

Report all electronic harassment and/or abuse to their parents. As parents, you should notify the BBS SYSOP (system operator) of the problem If the SYSOP does not give you satisfaction in stopping this abuse, notify the police.

Never set up face to face meetings with anyone they have met on the BBS. "If anyone you meet on-line wants to meet you - tell your parents."

Safeguard all credit card and telephone card numbers. They should pay for BBS service by money order whenever practical. 

Notify the police of all attempts by adults to setup meetings with your children. This is by far the most dangerous situation for children and should be prosecuted when appropriate.

Note: These are warning signs only and are meant .as warnings of possible problems not evidence of a problem.

Computer addiction. Withdraws from friends, family, and "lives on the computer" may lose interest in social activities. 

Use of new (unusual) vocabulary, heavy with computer terms, satanic phrases or sexual reference (or sudden interest in related hard rock or satanic oriented posters, music, etc.).

Look for related doodling or writing using of words such as: Hacking, Phreaking (or any words with "ph" replacing "f'). 

Lack of interest in self and appearance, grooming or indications of lack of sleep. 

Computer and modem running late at night (even when unattended).

Computer files ending in GIF, JPG, BMP, TIF, PCX, DL, GL, FLI. These are picture or graphic image files and parents should know what they illustrate. Image files may be pictures of sexual nature and can be of very high quality, moving and even include sound. 

Names on communications programs that seem satanic or pornographic (rude or vulgar words) in nature.

Obsession with fantasy adventure games (Dungeons arid Dragons, Trade Wars, Sexcapade, etc.) 

Use of the computer to scan or run telephone or credit card numbers. 

Learn about computers. Take a course at your local city college or adult school so you will have at least a little understanding about what your children are doing. Chances are you will never know as much as them but at least you can have an idea. 

(*Editors Note: Often times computer programs will be paid for as part of your agency law enforcement educational reimbursement program.)

Talk to your kids about their use of the computer and the dangers online. You are already talking about school, sex, drugs, strangers gangs and violence. Computers can involve all these problems and they can happen in your home without your knowledge if you don't get involved. 

Be involved with your kids in using the computer. This is a great opportunity to spend time with your child. It also gives you the opportunity to see what they like to do. If they like games try playing the games with them. If they do their homework, read the paper while they work. If they use a modem to call on-line systems, ask questions about what your child is doing and looking for.

Keep the computer in a "common" area of your home. A family room or den is a good place to keep a computer where on-line activity can be monitored. Virtually every case we've investigated where children were involved in computer crimes or were victims of abuse via computer involved computers located in the children's room often where the child would lock the doors. 

You decide if your child has a legitimate need for a modem. A MODEM is not a requirement for a computer. There may be services needed for school that might provide useful information. Evaluate the real need for these services. 

Control all modem activity. Monitor the times and the numbers dialed. If you have any questions about the types of services your child is calling, contact your local law enforcement agency. 

Closely monitor your long distance telephone bill for unexplained calls. With on-line services and bulletin boards all over the world, it is easy to spot calling long distance for special systems. 

Check the screen of an unattended computer. There are many things the computer can do that take a great deal of time and require no interaction with the user. These make great TV breaks and food breaks. 

If the computer is showing a series of changing numbers the computer may be running a hacking program trying to identify calling card "pin" numbers or long distance access numbers. 

If the computer is showing a series of sixteen digit numbers the computer may be running a program that is trying to validate credit card numbers.