Cops Take Proactive Approach to Internet Safety

Romeoville elementary school students will learn how to fight back against cyber bullies and protect themselves from Internet predators, thanks to a partnership with the .

Starting next month, local D.A.R.E. officers will bring their message about the importance of staying safe to third-graders at , , and elementaries.

Although the D.A.R.E. program is geared toward middle schoolers, Chief Mark Turvey said the safety course aims to protect even younger Internet users.

And it’s never too early to start making sure kids are Web-savvy, according to Skoff Principal Laura Noon.

“A lot of them already have Facebook accounts, so we thought it was appropriate for third grade,” she said.

The one-day course was developed by D.A.R.E. America and the Internet Keep Safe Coalition, according to Turvey.

Officers will talk to kids about the dangers that can lurk on the Internet and the dos and don’ts of staying safe.

“Don’t talk to strangers” has long been a cardinal rule for kids, and it also applies online, according to Turvey. Officers will teach kids safety rules like:

• Never provide your name, address, password or other personal information to anyone over the Internet.
• Never talk to strangers online or agree to meet with them in person.
• Always tell a parent or trusted adult if something happens on the Internet that makes you feel uncomfortable.

Kids will also learn how to deal with cyber bullying, Turvey said, and will receive an Internet safety coloring book.

Noon said all six third-grade classes at Skoff will attend the Internet safety course, beginning on May 6.

“I thought it was great,” she said of the program. “They’re just trying to get the word out (about Internet safety) into the school.”