OnGuard Online provides practical tips from the federal 

government and the technology community to help you 

guard against internet fraud, secure your computers, and 

protect your privacy.

To order free copies of this brochure, visit bulkorder.ftc.gov.
TABLE OF

CONTENTS

pg 6 TALK TO YOUR KIDS

advice for PARENTS OF

pg 9 KIDS AT different ages

pg 4 introduction

pg 14 socializing online

pg 22 Communicating Online

www.onguardonline.gov

Sexting

Cyberbullying
// 

pg 38 parental controls

pg 40 Protect Your Pre-Teen’s Privacy

mobile phoneS: 

socializing and pg 28 communicating on the go

pg 34 Protect Your Computers

pg 44 Glossary

pg 52 Additional Resources

Texting

P2P File Sharing
Introduction

The internet offers 

a world of opportunities. 

People of all ages are:

posting video from mobile devices

building online profiles

texting each other 

from their mobile devices

creating alter egos 

in the form of online avatars

connecting with friends online they 

don’t see regularly in person

sending photos to friends

broadcasting what they’re doing to 

hundreds of people

www.onguardonline.gov
These ways of socializing and communicating 

can be fulfilling, and yet, they come with 

certain risks:

Inappropriate conduct. 

The online world can feel anonymous. Kids 

sometimes forget that they are still accountable 

for their actions.

Inappropriate contact.

Some people online have bad intentions, including 

bullies, predators, hackers, and scammers.

Inappropriate content.

You may be concerned that your kids could find 

pornography, violence, or hate speech online.

You can reduce these risks by talking to your kids 

about how they communicate—online and off—

and encouraging them to engage in conduct they 

can be proud of.

This guide covers what you need to know, where 

to go for more information, and issues to raise 

with kids about living their lives online. 

// 
TALK TO YOUR KIDS

www.onguardonline.gov

Not sure 

where to begin? 

Consider the following:

Start early.

After all, even toddlers see their parents use all 

kinds of devices. As soon as your child is using 

a computer, a cell phone or any mobile device, it’s 

time to talk to them about online behavior, safety, 

and security. As a parent, you have the opportunity 

to talk to your kid about what’s important before 

anyone else does.

Create an honest, 

open environment.

Kids look to their parents to help guide them. 

Be supportive and positive. Listening and 

taking their feelings into account helps keep 

conversation afloat. You may not have all the 

answers, and being honest about that can 

go a long way. 
Initiate conversations.

Even if your kids are comfortable approaching you, 

don’t wait for them to start the conversation. 

Use everyday opportunities to talk to your kids 

about being online. For instance, a TV program 

featuring a teen online or using a cell phone can 

tee up a discussion about what to do—or not— 

in similar circumstances. News stories about 

internet scams or cyberbullying, for example, also 

can help start a conversation with kids about their 

experiences and your expectations.

The best way to protect your 

kids online? Talk to them.

Research suggests that when 

children want important information, 

most rely on their parents.

// 
Communicate your values. 

Be upfront about your values and how they 

apply in an online context. Communicating your 

values clearly can help your kids make smarter 

and more thoughtful decisions when they face 

tricky situations.

Be patient. 

Resist the urge to rush through conversations 

with your kids. Most kids need to hear 

information repeated, in small doses, for it to 

sink in. If you keep talking with your kids, your 

patience and persistence will pay off in the 

long run. Work hard to keep the lines of 

communication open, even if you learn your kid 

has done something online you find inappropriate.

www.onguardonline.gov
ADVICE FOR PARENTS 

OF KIDS AT DIFFERENT AGES

Young Kids

Tweens

Teens

Young Kids 

When very young children start using a computer, 

they should be supervised closely by a parent 

or caregiver. Parents may wish to choose the 

websites their kids visit early on—and not let them 

leave those sites on their own. If little kids aren’t 

supervised online, they may stumble onto sites 

that could scare or confuse them.

When you’re comfortable that your young 

children are ready to explore on their own, it’s still 

important to stay in close touch while they go from 

site to site. You may want to restrict access 

to sites that you have visited and know to be 

appropriate—at least in terms of their educational 

or entertainment value. 

// 
Many tweens are adept at finding 

information online...but they still 

need adult guidance to help 

them understand which sources 

are trustworthy.

Tweens

During the tween years—ages 8 to 

12—children start exploring more 

on their own, but that doesn’t mean 

you don’t want—or need—to be 

close at hand. It’s important to be with 

them—or at least nearby—when they’re online. 

For this age group, consider keeping the 

computer in an area where the child has access 

to you or another adult. That way, they can be 

“independent,” but not alone.

www.onguardonline.gov
For younger tweens, parental controls—

including filtering or monitoring tools—can be 

effective. However, many middle school kids 

have the technical know-how to find a way to get 

around them. If children aren’t already using the 

internet for their schoolwork, this is when they’re 

likely to start. It’s also when they can discover 

resources for hobbies and other interests. Many 

tweens are adept at finding information online. 

That’s often helpful to the rest of the family, but 

they still need adult guidance to help them 

understand which sources are trustworthy.

As you consider what your tweens see and do 

on the internet, think about how much time they 

spend online. Consider setting limits on how often 

they can be online and how long those sessions 

should be.

// 1
Teens

Young tweens are likely to reflect the values of 

their parents. By the time they age into their teen 

years, they’re forming their own values and 

beginning to take on the values of their peers. 

At the same time, older teens are maturing 

physically, emotionally, and intellectually, and 

many are eager to experience more independence 

from their parents. 

Teens have more internet access through cell 

phones, mobile devices, or friends’ computers, 

as well as more time to themselves. So it isn’t 

realistic to try to always be in the same room as 

your teens when they’re online. They need to know 

that you and other family members can walk in 

and out of the room any time, and can ask them 

about what they’re doing online.

It’s important to emphasize the concept of 

credibility to teens. Even the most tech-savvy kids 

need to understand that not everything they 

see on the internet is true, that people on the 

internet may not be who they appear to be, that 

information or images they share can be seen far 

and wide, and that once something is posted 

online, it’s close to impossible to “take it back.”

www.onguardonline.gov
Because they don’t see facial expressions, body 

language, and other visual cues we rely on offline, 

teens may feel free to do or say things online 

that they wouldn’t otherwise. Remind them that 

behind the screen names, profiles, and avatars 

are real people with real feelings.

When you talk to your teen, set reasonable 

expectations. Anticipate how you will react if 

you find out that he has done something online 

you don’t approve of. If your teen confides in 

you about something scary or inappropriate 

they’ve encountered online, try to work together 

to prevent it from happening again. Since your 

teen is closing in on being an adult, she needs to 

learn how to behave and how to exercise 

judgment about using the net safely, securely, 

and in accordance with your family ethic.

// 1

Even the most tech-savvy kids need to 

understand that not everything they see on 

the internet is true, that people on the internet 

may not be who they appear to be, and that 

information or images they share can be seen 

far and wide.
SOCIALIZING ONLINE

Social networking sites, 

chat rooms, virtual worlds, 

and blogs are how teens 

and tweens socialize 

online. Kids share pictures, 

videos, thoughts, and plans 

with friends, others who 

share their interests, and 

sometimes, the world at large. 

Socializing online can help kids connect with 

friends, and even their family members, but 

it’s important to help your child learn how to 

navigate these spaces safely. Among the pitfalls 

that come with online socializing are sharing 

too much information, or posting pictures, video, 

or words that can damage a reputation or hurt 

someone’s feelings. Applying real-world judgment

and sense can help minimize those downsides.

www.onguardonline.gov
What can you do?

Remind your kids that online 

actions can reverberate.

The words they write and the images they post 

have consequences offline.

Explain to your kids why 

it’s a good idea to post 

only information that 

they are comfortable with 

others seeing.

Some of your child’s profile may be seen 

by a broader audience than you or they are 

comfortable with, even if privacy settings are on. 

Encourage your child to think about the language 

they use online, and to think before posting 

pictures and videos, or altering photos posted by 

someone else. Employers, college admissions 

officers, coaches, teachers, and the police may 

view your child’s posts.

// 1
Remind your kids that once 

they post information online, 

they can’t take it back.

Even if they delete the information from a site, 

they have little control over older versions 

that may exist on other people’s computers and 

circulate online. 

Use privacy settings to restrict 

who can access and post on 

your child’s profile.

Some social networking sites, chat rooms, and 

blogs have strong privacy settings. Talk to your 

kids about these settings, and your expectations 

for who should be allowed to view their profile.

Review your child’s 

friends list.

You may want to limit your children’s online 

“friends” to people they actually know. 

www.onguardonline.gov
Talk to your teens 

about avoiding sex talk online.

Research shows that teens who don’t talk about 

sex with strangers online are less likely to come 

in contact with predators. In fact, researchers have 

found that predators usually don’t pose as children 

or teens, and most teens who are contacted by 

adults they don’t know find it creepy. Teens should 

not hesitate to ignore or block them. 

Know what your 

kids are doing.

Get to know the social networking sites your kids 

use so you know how best to understand their 

activities. If you’re concerned that your child is 

engaging in risky online behavior, you may want 

to search the social sites they use to see what 

information they’re posting. Are they pretending to 

be someone else? Try searching by their name, 

nickname, school, hobbies, grade, or community. 

// 1
Encourage your kids 

to trust their gut if they 

have suspicions.

Encourage them to tell you if they feel threatened 

by someone or uncomfortable because of 

something online. You can then help them report 

concerns to the police and to the social 

networking site. Most of these sites have links 

for users to report abusive, suspicious, or 

inappropriate behavior. 

Tell your kids not to 

impersonate someone else. 

Let your kids know that it’s wrong to 

create sites, pages, or posts that seem to come 

from someone else, like a teacher, a classmate, 

or someone they made up.

Create a safe screen name.

Encourage your kids to think about the impression 

that screen names can make. A good screen 

name won’t reveal much about how old they are, 

where they live, or their gender. For privacy 

purposes, your kids’ IM names should not be the 

same as their email addresses.

www.onguardonline.gov
// 1

Help your kids understand 

what information should 

stay private.

Tell them why it’s important to keep some things—

about themselves, family members, and friends— 

to themselves. Information like their Social 

Security number, street address, phone number, 

and family financial information—say, bank 

account or credit card numbers—is private and 

should stay that way. 

SEXTING

Sending or forwarding sexually explicit photos, 

videos, or messages from a mobile phone is 

known as “sexting.” Tell your kids not to do it. In 

addition to risking their reputation and their 

friendships, they could be breaking the law if they 

create, forward, or even save this kind of message. 

Teens may be less likely to make a bad choice if 

they know the consequences.
www.onguardonline.gov

CYBERBULLYING

Cyberbullying is bullying or harassment that 

happens online. It can happen in an email, a text 

message, an online game, or comments on 

a social networking site. It might involve rumors 

or images posted on someone’s profile or passed 

around for others to see, or creating a group 

or page to make a person feel left out. 

Talk to your kids about bullying. Tell your kids 

that they can’t hide behind the words they type 

and the images they post. Hurtful messages not 

only make the target feel bad, but they also make 

the sender look bad—and sometimes can bring 

scorn from peers and punishment from authorities.

Ask your kids to let you know if an online 

message or image makes them feel threatened 

or hurt. If you fear for your child’s safety, contact 

the police.

 

Read the comments. Cyberbullying often 

involves mean-spirited comments. Check out 

your kid’s page from time to time to see what 

you find.

Don’t react. If your child is targeted by a 

cyberbully, tell them not to respond. Bullies 

usually are looking for a reaction from their 

target. Instead, encourage your child to work 
// 2

with you to save the evidence and talk to 

you about it. If the bullying persists, share 

the record with school officials or local 

law enforcement.

Protect their profile. If your child finds a 

profile that was created or altered without his or 

her permission, contact the company that runs 

the site to have it taken down. 

Block or delete the bully. If the bullying 

involves instant messaging or another online 

service that requires a “friends” or “buddy” list, 

delete the bully from the lists or block their user 

name or email address. 

Help stop cyberbullying. If your child sees 

cyberbullying happening to someone else, 

encourage him or her to try to stop it by not 

engaging or forwarding anything and by telling 

the bully to stop. Researchers say that bullying 

usually stops pretty quickly when peers 

intervene on behalf of the victim. One way to 

help stop bullying online is to report it to the 

site or network where you see it.

Recognize the signs of a cyberbully.

Could your kid be the bully? Look for signs 

of bullying behavior, such as creating mean 

images of another kid.

Keep in mind that you are a model for your 

children. Kids learn from adults’ gossip and 

other unkind behavior.
COMMUNICATING ONLINE

www.onguardonline.gov

Email, chat, IM, video 

calling and texting are fast 

and convenient ways 

to communicate. 

But the fundamentals—what

we say, when we say it, and 

why we say it—are the same 

online and off. Common 

courtesy and common sense 

are important parts of all 

communication, regardless of 

where and how it takes place.
What can you do?

Talk to your kids 

about online manners.

Politeness counts. You teach your kids to 

be polite offline; talk to them about being 

courteous online as well. Texting may seem 

fast and impersonal, yet courtesies like “pls” 

and “ty” (for please and thank you) are common 

text terms.

Tone it down. Using all caps, long rows of 

exclamation points, or large bolded fonts are 

the online equivalent of yelling. Most people 

don’t appreciate a rant.

Cc: and Reply all: with care. Suggest that 

your kids resist the temptation to send a 

message to everyone on their contact list. 

Avoid chain letters. Most chain letters or 

emails are nuisances at best, and scams 

at worst. Many carry viruses or spyware. 

Ask your kids not to open or forward them.

// 2
Set high privacy preferences 

on your kids’ IM and video 

calling accounts.

Most IM programs allow parents to control 

whether people on their kids’ contact list can see 

their IM status, including whether they’re online. 

Some IM and email accounts allow parents to 

determine who can send their kids messages, and 

block anyone not on the list.

Ask your kids who they’re in 

touch with online.

Just as you want to know who your kids’ friends 

are offline, it’s a good idea to know who they’re 

talking to online. 

www.onguardonline.gov
Talk to your kids about using 

strong email passwords and 

protecting them.

The longer the password, the harder it is to 

crack. Personal information, your login name, 

common words, or adjacent keys on the keyboard 

are not safe passwords. Kids can protect their 

passwords by not sharing them with anyone, 

including their friends. 

Remind your kids to protect 

their personal information. 

Social Security numbers, account numbers, 

and passwords are examples of information to 

keep private. 

// 2
www.onguardonline.gov

PHISHING

Phishing is when scam artists send text, email, or 

pop-up messages to get people to share their 

personal and financial information. Then they use 

the information to commit identity theft. 

Here’s how you—and 

your kids—can avoid a 

phishing scam:

 

Don’t reply to text, email, or pop-up messages 

that ask for personal or financial information, 

and don’t click any links in the message. 

Resist the urge to cut and paste a link from the 

message into your web browser, too. If 

you want to check a financial account, for 

example, type in the web address from your 

billing statement.

Don’t give personal information on the 

phone in response to a text message. Some 

scammers send text messages that appear 

to be from a legitimate business, and ask you 

to call a phone number to update your account 

or access a “refund.” If you give them your 

information, they use it to run up charges in 

your name.
// 2

Be cautious about opening any attachment or 

downloading any files from emails you receive, 

regardless of who sent them. Unexpected files 

may contain viruses or spyware that the sender 

doesn’t even know are there.

Use security software, and update it regularly. 

Read your mail; review credit card and bank 

account statements as soon as you get them to 

check for unauthorized charges. 

Forward phishing emails to spam@uce.gov

—and to the company, bank, or organization 

impersonated in the phishing email. You 

also may want to report phishing email 

to the Anti-Phishing Working Group at 

reportphishing@antiphishing.org.

Get your kids involved in these activities, too, 

so they can develop good internet security 

habits. Look for “teachable moments”—if you 

get a phishing message, show it to your kids to 

help them understand that messages on 

the internet aren’t always what they seem. 
MOBILE PHONES: 

SOCIALIZING AND 

COMMUNICATING ON THE GO

What age is appropriate for a kid to have a mobile 

phone? That’s something for you and your family 

to decide. Consider your kid’s age, personality, 

and maturity, and your family’s circumstances. Is 

he responsible enough to follow rules you or his 

school sets for phone use? 

Many online applications also are on mobile 

phones—including social networking, blog 

posting, content uploading, media sharing, and 

video editing. Teach your kids to think about safety 

when using a cell phone. 

www.onguardonline.gov

Teach your kids to think about 

safety when using a cell phone. 
What Can You Do? 

Use photo- and video-sharing 

by phone with care. 

Most mobile phones now have cameras and video 

capability, making it easy for teens to capture and 

share every moment on the go. These tools can 

foster creativity and fun, yet they also present 

issues related to personal reputation and safety. 

Encourage your teens to think about their privacy 

and that of others before they share photos and 

videos via cell phone. It’s easy to post photos and 

videos online without the knowledge—let alone 

the OK—of the photographer or the person in the 

shot. It could be embarrassing and even unsafe. 

It’s easier to be smart up front about what media 

they share than to do damage control later on.

Don’t stand for 

mobile bullying. 

Mobile phones can be used to bully or harass 

others. Talk to your kids about treating others the 

same way they want to be treated. The manners 

and ethics you’ve taught them apply on phones.

// 2
Use good judgment with 

mobile social networking. 

Many social networking sites have a feature that 

allows users to check their profiles and post 

comments from their phones, allowing access 

from anywhere. That means the filters you’ve 

installed on your home computer won’t limit 

what kids can do on a phone. If your teens are 

going mobile with their profiles or blogs, talk 

to them about using good sense when they’re 

social networking from their phones. 

Get familiar with 

social mapping. 

Many mobile phones now have GPS technology 

installed: kids with these phones can pinpoint 

where their friends are—and be pinpointed by their 

friends. Advise your kids to use these features only 

with friends they know in person and trust, and 

why not to broadcast their location to the world, 

24-7. In addition, some carriers offer GPS services 

that let parents map their kid’s location. 

www.onguardonline.gov
Decide on the right options 

and features for your 

kid’s phone.

Both your mobile carrier and the phone itself 

should give you some choices for privacy 

settings and child safety controls. Most carriers 

allow parents to turn off features, like web access, 

texting, or downloading. Some cell phones are 

made especially for children. They’re designed 

to be easy to use, and have features like limited 

internet access, minute management, number 

privacy, and emergency buttons. 

Be smart about smart phones. 

Many phones include web access. If your children 

are going to use a phone and you’re concerned 

about what they might find on the net, turn off web 

access or turn on filtering. 

// 3
Develop cell phone rules. 

Talk to your kids about when and where it’s 

appropriate to use their cell phones. You also 

may want to establish rules for responsible use. 

Do you allow calls or texting at the dinner 

table? Do you have rules about cell phone use 

at night? Should they give you their cell phones 

while they’re doing homework, or when they’re 

supposed to be sleeping?

Set an example.

More mobile applications mean additional 

distractions. It’s illegal to drive while texting, 

surfing, or talking on the phone in many 

states, but it’s dangerous in every state. Set an 

example for your kids, and talk to them about 

the dangers of driving while distracted.

www.onguardonline.gov
// 3

TEXTING

Any kid with a cell phone probably uses it to send 

and receive text messages and images. It’s similar 

to using email or instant messaging and most of 

the same etiquette and safety rules apply. If your 

kids are texting, encourage them to: 

 

respect others. Texting shorthand can lead 

to misunderstandings. Think about how a 

text message might be read and understood 

before sending it. 

ignore text messages from people they 

don’t know.

learn how to block numbers from their 

cell phone.

avoid posting their cell phone number online.

never provide financial information in response 

to a text message.
www.onguardonline.gov

PROTECT YOUR COMPUTERS

The security of your computer 

can affect the safety of your 

online experience—and your 

kid’s. Malware is software 

that monitors or controls your 

computer use, can install 

viruses, or can be used to 

send unwanted pop-up ads, 

redirect your computer to 

websites you’re not looking 

for, or record your keystrokes. 

Malware on your computer 

could allow someone to 

steal your family’s personal 

information. 
What Can You Do?

Use security software, and 

update it regularly. 

Anti-virus and anti-spyware software scan 

incoming communications for troublesome files; a 

firewall blocks communications from unauthorized 

sources. Look for software that can reverse the 

damage and that updates automatically.

Keep your operating 

system and web browser 

up-to-date, and learn about 

their security features. 

Hackers take advantage of operating system 

software and browsers that don’t have the latest 

security updates. Increase the security of your 

computer by changing the built-in security and 

privacy settings in your operating system or 

browser. Check the “Tools” or “Options” menus to 

learn how to upgrade from the default settings.

// 3
www.onguardonline.gov

Watch out for “free” stuff. 

Free games, ring tones, or other downloads can 

hide malware. Tell your kids not to download 

anything unless they trust the source and they’ve 

scanned it with security software.
// 3

P2P FILE SHARING 

Some kids share music, games, or software 

online. Peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing allows 

people to share these kinds of files through 

an informal network of computers running the 

same software. If your kids download copyrighted 

material, you could get mired in legal issues. 

Sometimes spyware, malware, or pornography can 

be hidden in a shared file. Some tips to help your 

kids share files safely:

 

Install file-sharing software properly.

Activate the proper default settings so that 

nothing private is shared. By default, almost 

all P2P file-sharing applications will share 

downloads in your “save” or “download” folder. 

That’s why it’s important to set it not to. If 

you don’t set the defaults properly, other P2P 

users may access files you never meant to 

share, including personal documents on your 

hard drive, like your tax returns or other 

financial documents. 

Before your kids open or play any 

downloaded file, advise them to use 

security software to scan it. Make sure 

the security software is up-to-date and 

running when the computer is connected 

to the internet.
www.onguardonline.gov

PARENTAL CONTROLS

If you’re concerned about what 

your kids—especially 

elementary school kids—see 

when they surf the internet, 

there are tools to consider. 

Keep in mind that while 

parental controls work well for 

young children, teens who’ve 

been online for years probably 

won’t have much trouble 

working around them or finding 

other computers to use. 
What Can You Do?

Parental control

options include:

Filtering and blocking. 

These tools limit access to certain sites, words, 

or images. Some products decide what’s 

filtered; others leave that to parents. Some filters 

apply to websites; others to email, chat, and 

instant messaging. 

Blocking outgoing content. 

This software prevents kids from sharing personal 

information online, in chat rooms, or via email.

Limiting time. 

This software allows you to limit your kid’s time 

online and set the time of day they can access 

the internet.

Browsers for kids. 

These browsers filter words or images deemed 

inappropriate for kids. 

// 3
www.onguardonline.gov

Kid-oriented search engines. 

These perform limited searches or screen search 

results for sites and material appropriate for kids.

Monitoring tools. 

This software alerts parents to online activity 

without blocking access. Some tools record 

the addresses of websites a child has visited; 

others provide a warning message when a 

kid visits certain sites. Monitoring tools can be 

used with or without a kid’s knowledge. 
// 4

The best way to protect your 

kids online is to talk to them. 

When children want important 

information, most rely on their 

parents. Children value the opinions 

of their peers, but tend to rely on their 

parents for help on the issues 

that matter most. 
www.onguardonline.gov

PROTECT YOUR 

PRE-TEEN’S PRIVACY

The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act 

(COPPA) helps you protect your children’s privacy 

by giving you specific rights. Enforced by the 

Federal Trade Commission, the nation’s consumer 

protection agency, COPPA requires websites to 

get parental consent before collecting or sharing 

information from children under 13. The law covers 

sites designed for kids under 13 and general 

audience sites that know certain users are under 

13. COPPA protects information that websites 

collect upfront and information that your kids give 

out or post later.

COPPA also requires these sites to post a privacy 

policy in a spot that’s plain to see. The policy must 

provide details about what kind of information 

the site will collect and what it might do with the 

information—for example, if it plans to use the 

information to target advertising to your kids or 

to give the information to other companies. The 

policy also should state whether those other 

companies have agreed to keep the information 

safe and confidential.
What can you do?

Take advantage of your COPPA rights. Your child’s 

personal information is valuable, and you can do a 

lot to protect it:

Be picky with your permission. 

Websites can request your consent in a number 

of ways, including by email and postal mail. Before 

you give consent, make sure you know what 

information the site wants to collect and what it 

plans to do with it. And consider how much 

consent you want to give—it’s not all or nothing. 

You might give the company permission to 

collect some personal information, for example, 

but not allow them to share that information 

with others.

// 4
www.onguardonline.gov

Know your rights. 

As the parent, you have a right to see any personal 

information a site has collected about your child. 

If you ask to see the information, website 

operators will need to make sure you really are 

the parent or they may choose to delete the 

information. You also have the right to retract your 

consent, and have any information collected about 

your child deleted. 

Check out sites your kids visit. 

If a site requires users to register, see what kind of 

information it asks for and determine your 

comfort level. You also can see whether the site 

appears to be following the most basic rules, 

like posting its privacy policy for parents clearly 

and conspicuously. 
Review the privacy policy. 

Just because a site has a privacy policy doesn’t 

mean it keeps personal information private. The 

policy can help you figure out if you’re comfortable 

with what information the site collects and how 

it plans to use or share it. If the policy says there 

are no limits to what it collects or who gets to see 

it, there are no limits. 

Ask questions. 

If you have questions about a site’s practices 

or policies, ask. The privacy policy should include 

contact information for someone prepared to 

answer your questions. 

Report any site that breaks 

the rules.

If you think a site has collected information 

from your kids or marketed to them in a 

way that violates the law, report it to the 

FTC at ftc.gov/complaint.

// 4
GLOSSARY

Avatar – A graphic alter ego you create to use 

online; can be a 3D character or a simple icon, 

human or whimsical. 

Badware – Bad software; includes viruses and 

spyware that steal your personal information, send 

spam, and commit fraud. (See Malware.)

Backing up – Making copies of computer data 

in case something happens to your machine 

or operating system and the information is lost. 

Blocking software – A program to filter content 

from the internet and restrict access to sites or 

content based on specific criteria. 

Blog – Short for “web log,” a site where you 

regularly post personal observations.

Buddy list – A list of people who you can chat 

with through an instant messaging program. 

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Chat room – An online space where you can 

meet and exchange information through 

messages displayed on the screens of others 

who are in the “room.”

COPPA – The Children’s Online Privacy Protection 

Act; it gives parents control over what information 

websites can collect from their kids under 13. 

Cyberbullying – Bullying or harassment that 

takes place online; includes posting embarrassing 

pictures or unkind comments on a person’s 

profile or sending them via instant message 

or email.

Firewall – Hardware or software that blocks 

unauthorized communications to or from your 

computer; helps keep hackers from using your 

computer to send out your personal information 

without your permission.

GPS – “Global Positioning System,” a global 

navigation satellite system that is used in 

cars or phones to determine location and 

provide directions. 

Hacking – Breaking into a computer or network 

by evading or disabling security measures.
Instant messaging (IM) – Enables two or more 

people to chat in real time, and notifies you when 

someone on your buddy list is online.

Intellectual property (IP) – Creative 

products that have commercial value, including 

copyrighted property like books, photos, 

and songs.

Limited user account – An online setting 

that grants someone access to some of the 

computer’s functions and programs, but allows 

only an administrator to make changes that 

affect the computer.

Malware – Short for “malicious software”; 

includes viruses and spyware that steal personal 

information, send spam, and commit fraud. 

(See Badware.) 

Password – A secret word or phrase used with 

a user name to grant access to your computer 

or protect sensitive information online.

Patch – Software downloaded to fix or update 

a computer program.

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Peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing – Allows 

you to share files online—like music, movies, 

or games—through an informal network of 

computers running the same sharing software. 

PDA – “Personal Digital Assistant,” can be used 

as a mobile phone, web browser, or portable 

media player.

Personal information – Data that can be used 

to identify you, like your name, address, birth 

date, or Social Security number.

Phishing – When scam artists send spam, 

pop-ups, or text messages to trick you 

into disclosing personal, financial, or other 

sensitive information. 

Privacy settings – Controls available on many 

social networking and other websites that you can 

set to limit who can access your profile and what 

information visitors can see.

Profile – A personal page you create on a social 

networking or other website to share information 

about yourself and communicate with others. 
Security software – Identifies and protects 

against threats or vulnerabilities that may 

compromise your computer or your personal 

information; includes anti-virus and anti-spyware 

software and firewalls.

Sexting – Sending or forwarding sexually explicit 

pictures or messages from a mobile phone.

Smart phone – A mobile phone that offers 

advanced capabilities and features like a web 

connection and a portable media player. 

SMS – “Short Messaging Service,” technology 

that allows text messages to be sent from one 

mobile phone to another.

Social networking site – A website that allows 

you to build a profile and connect with others. 

Spyware – Software installed on your computer 

without your consent to monitor or control your 

computer use. 

Texting – Sending short messages from one 

mobile phone to another. 

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Tween – A child between 8 and 12 years old. 

User name – An alias used with a password to 

grant access to accounts and websites.

Video calling – Internet services that allow users 

to communicate using webcams.

Virtual world – A computer-simulated online 

“place” where people use avatars—graphic 

characters—to represent themselves.

Virus – Malware that sneaks onto your 

computer—often through an email attachment—

and then makes copies of itself.

Webcam – A video camera that can stream live 

video on the web; may be built into the computer 

or purchased separately.
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ADDITIONAL

RESOURCES

OnGuardOnline.gov – OnGuard Online provides 

practical tips from the federal government and the 

technology community to help you guard against 

internet fraud, secure your computers, and protect 

your privacy.

FTC.gov/idtheft – The Federal Trade 

Commission’s website has information to help you 

deter, detect, and defend against identity theft. 

GetNetWise.org – A project of the Internet 

Education Foundation, the GetNetWise coalition 

wants internet users to be just “one click away” 

from the resources they need to make informed 

decisions about their and their family’s use of 

the internet. 

CyberBully411.org – Cyberbully411, created by 

Internet Solutions for Kids, is an effort to provide 

resources for youth who have questions about or 

have been targeted by online harassment.

ConnectSafely.org – ConnectSafely, a project 

of Tech Parenting Group, is for parents, teens, 

educators and advocates for learning about safe, 

civil use of Web 2.0 together. 
iKeepSafe.org – iKeepSafe educational 

resources teach children of all ages, in a fun, 

age-appropriate way, the basic rules of 

internet safety, ethics, and the healthy use of 

connected technologies.

NetFamilyNews.org – A nonprofit news service 

for parents, educators, and policymakers who 

want to keep up on the latest technology news 

and commentary about online youth, in the form 

of a daily blog or weekly email newsletter.

NetSmartz.org – The NetSmartz Workshop is an 

interactive, educational safety resource from the 

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children 

and Boys & Girls Clubs of America that uses 

age-appropriate, 3D activities to teach children 

how to stay safer on the internet.

WiredSafety.org – WiredSafety provides help, 

information, and education to internet and mobile 

device users of all ages.

StaySafeOnline.org – Through collaboration 

with the government, corporate, non-profit and 

academic sectors, the National Cyber Security 

Alliance seeks to create a culture of cyber security 

and safety awareness by providing knowledge 

and tools to prevent cyber crime and attacks.

// 5
OnGuard Online provides practical tips from the federal 

government and the technology community to help you 

guard against internet fraud, secure your computers, and 

protect your privacy.

To order free copies of this brochure, visit bulkorder.ftc.gov.