Computer Safety

We at the Natchez Police department are concerned about your safety with the easy access of the Internet. The Internet can be a fun and safe place to surf. However, there are those individuals that are out there that may wish to do harm to yourself as well as your children and that is why we have created this section for computer/Internet safety.

Parents make sure you know what sites and the kind of sites that your children are visiting. Remember in chat rooms the person you are talking to may not be the person he/she says he/she is. It is best never to give out any type of identifying information in the chat room. such as your home address, school name, telephone number, email address, or information that can lead that person to you.

Be extremely cautious about anyone wanting to meet with you and play it safe. Meet that person in a public place and have some friends with you for your safety. NEVER let your children make actual contact with a person they have met over the Internet without supervisor and other people present.

Be cautious of anything on social media & e-commerce sites. That age old saying "if it sounds too good to be true, chances are its not".

Report to your Internet service provider any threatening or obscene suggestive messages that you get, contact the police department if you feel the message is strange or weird.

Set some rules and guidelines for the computer and make a little reminder sheet and post near the computer. Also think about using a program to limit access to certain types of sites. 

Place your computer in a room where you are able to see the screen while your child is on the computer. Monitor the time your child is on the Internet.

If you receive anything that you feel is weird or strange do not hesitate to notify the police department.

Safety Tips from the FBI

• Never give out identifying information such as Name, Home Address, School Name, or Telephone Number in a public message such as at a chat room or on social media sites. Never send a person a picture of you without first checking with your parent or guardian. 
• Never respond to messages or social media items that are: 
  • Suggestive 
  • Obscene 
  • Belligerent 
  • Threatening 
  • Make You Feel Uncomfortable 
• Be careful when someone offers you something for nothing, such as gifts and money. Be very careful about any offers that involve your coming to a meeting or having someone visit your house. 
• Tell your parent or guardian right away if you come across any information that makes you feel uncomfortable. 
• Never arrange a face to face meeting without telling your parent or guardian. If your parent or guardian agrees to the meeting, make sure that you meet in a public place and have a parent or guardian with you. 
• Remember that people online may not be who they seem. Because you can't see or even hear the person it would be easy for someone to misrepresent him- or herself. Thus, someone indicating that "she" is a "12-year-old-girl" could in reality be an older man. 
• Be sure that you are dealing with someone that you and your parents know and trust before giving out any personal information about yourself via Email. 
• Get to know your "online friends" just as you get to know all of your other friends.