Parents are responsible for their children’s health and wellbeing and internet safety is a key component in that quest. According to Vernal City Police Detective Shaun Smith, parents and caregivers need to get educated on the trends and risks their children face when it comes to using the internet. “A lot of what we are seeing is downloads from various softwares….exchanges with pictures and videos in the schools and out in the community,” says Smith. “…The important thing to know is the settings on [the] phone.” If the location setting is not turned off, then pictures teens are taking, whether in an appropriate or inappropriate fashion, can be accessed by outsiders who then have the images and know where the teen is by using GPS from the phone. Smith recommends utilizing education resources like
www.netsafeutah.org
for parents to learn what to do to keep their kids safe. “The key to protecting kids is to be involved,” says Smith. “Be involved in what they are doing and what they are looking at. Take their phone and look at what they are doing. Talk to them. It will do wonders.”
