Family and the Internet

The Internet -- It's a wonderful and amazing tool, but as with anything we do in life, we must be responsible. 



Recently, the Clay City Police Department has replied to parents' concerns involving the Internet. These types of calls are not uncommon, but have been increasing in rate over the years.

The Internet can be a wonderful tool for doing homework, communicating with friends, and education, but using a computer needs to be done with great responsibility by all family members.

I'm a strong believer that our privacy is important, but we need to talk to our young people and, in some cases, we need to think better for ourselves as adults before we do things online too.

We all need to remember that anything you say and the pictures you post online -- whether it be on myspace, facebook or wherever -- will be seen and read by others. 


Many parents have contacted our office and some have came down to show us through one of their child's Internet accounts and what young kids are saying and doing.

I have to say it's very upsetting seeing that teenager that you thought so much of before, and you're familiar with, drinking at a party from a liquor bottle or reading such bad language from them.

I think that young people forget that if they talk and act like they do on these websites that it's a very good chance it could effect long term goals and the way people look at you.

Imagine the friend that shows or lets another person read things you thought might have been private because you set your profile to private, but you forget how easy it is for that person to share your information with someone else you might not want to know. 


Of course, it's not just the young ones, adults need to keep in mind many unwanted situations -- your pictures of things you would really rather people not see or read about you can end up on someone else's myspace or facebook.

A good tip is to agree on a list of rules and content that the family approves of. These rules should cover time spent on the computer, especially the young ones.

I remember one parent who woke up in the middle of a school night and saw a glow coming from the daughter's room. And guess what, the daughter's online talking to a friend at midnight on a school night. 


Let them know what types of web sites they can and cannot visit and rules about making online purchases.

As parents, we need to keep an open mind and communicate with our kids, while trying not to over react. So many times the way we react will effect how our children will share other types of information, whether good or bad, with us in the future.

Remember to never give out personal information over the Internet. Of course we all know about the dangers of meeting people online, especially with child predators communicating with our children, but how often is the topic discussed.

You and your kids should use a made-up persona online and never use your real name.

If you ever decide that your family is going to meet someone from online, when it seems appropriate, do it in a safe public place and make sure other family and friends are present.

In many cases parents are making it so they have full access to the computer to see everything other family members do online. Communicate with one another on these issues since our privacy is very important to all of us.

Most law enforcement departments have access to informational links that will provide helpful Internet tips.

Please contact your local city, county or state law enforcement agency if you have concerns about Internet safety.

Stay safe,

Terry L. Skaggs

Clay City Police Chief

111 West 8th Street

Clay City, Ind., 47841

Phone: 812-939-2311

Fax: 812-939-0007

Email: claycitypolice@claycountyin.gov