A message from Acting Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni:
The advent of the Internet has changed the manner in which certain crimes are committed. The pervasiveness of smart phones, tablet computers and other handheld devices allows people to be connected to the Internet from anywhere, at any time. Now, someone sitting behind a computer or using their smart phone or tablet in a different part of the State, a different State or even a different country can reach out across the Internet and with the click of a mouse or the tap of the finger, steal, threaten and, sometimes, do far worse. Internet crime has posed a challenge for law enforcement, but it is a challenge that we are meeting. Law enforcement agencies from all over the State and the United States are cooperating with each other to insure that those who use the Internet as a vehicle to commit crime are found, wherever they might be, and brought to justice.
The links below will take you to sites that promote Internet safety. They are a good place to start learning about what you can do as a parent to insure that your child's time online is, before anything else, safe.
Christopher Gramiccioni
Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor
Click below to learn about our Internet Safety Lectures
Child Internet Safety Sites
The following links will lead you to sites with information on Internet Safety. These sites are independent of, and have no relationship with, the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office. In short, we have no control over and are not responsible for their content.
- NetSmartz - NetSmartz is "an interactive, educational safety resource to teach kids and teens how to stay safer on the Internet. NetSmartz combines the newest technologies available and the most current information to create high-impact educational activities that are well received by even the most tech-savvy kids."
- WiredSafety - "WiredSafety is the largest and oldest online safety, education, and help group in the world. Originating in 1995 as a group of volunteers rating websites, it now provides one-to-one help, extensive information, and education to cyberspace users of all ages on a myriad of Internet and interactive technology safety, privacy and security issues. These services are offered through a worldwide organization comprised entirely of unpaid volunteers who administer specialized websites, resources and programs." Their founder and executive director is Parry Aftab, Esq., an attorney who specializes in Internet law.
- SafeKids.Com - According to USA Today, SafeKids.Com is "A complete safe-surfing kit and collection of information for parents. This site lays out the rules, the risks, the products and the issues." (Operated by Larry Magid, who is a columnist for the L.A. Times)
- Disney's Internet Safety page - Disney's guide to Internet child safety. Tips on safe surfing, a list of Internet safety resources and safety rules.
- FBI Parent's Guide to the Internet - Internet safety tips for parents brought to you by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
- GetNetWise - According to their site, "GetNetWise is a public service brought to you by Internet industry corporations and public interest organizations to help ensure that Internet users have safe, constructive, and educational or entertaining online experiences." GetNetWise is a project of the Internet Education Foundation.
- A Parent's Guide to the Internet - This is another site run by Parry Aftab, Esq., which is based on her book A Parent's Guide to the Internet …and how to protect your children in cyberspace.
- Kidz Privacy - Child online privacy primer from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
- Onguard Online - Social networking safety from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
- Federal Trade Commission - Social networking safety from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
- Child Online Socialization - Child online socialization safety information.
- Smart Phone Apps - Information on smart phone applications, or "apps".
- Peer-to-Peer File Sharing - Information on Peer-to-Peer (P2P) file sharing and the risks associated with same.
- FBI's Safe Online Surfing Internet Challenge - The FBI's Safe Online Surfing Internet Challenge is a Web site designed for third - through eighth-grade teachers and students to learn about safe online surfing in age-appropriate "lesson games". According to the site, "[t]op scoring schools in each category nationwide are awarded the FBI-SOS cyber trophy."
- 2smrt4u.com - An initiative between NCMEC and the Postal Inspectors to encourage teens to practice safe, smart habits when posting information about themselves on social networking Web sites and blogs.
- Yahoo! Safely - An Internet Safety resource for kids and parents from Yahoo!.
- National Center for Missing and Exploited Children - As the nation's resource center for child protection, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) spearheads national efforts to locate and recover missing children and raises public awareness about ways to prevent child abduction, molestation, and sexual exploitation.
- -Child Safety on the Information Highway - NCMEC's Internet Safety page with tips and resources.
- PC Magazine's Security Super Guide - PC Magazine offers this guide on all facets of Internet Safety.
Kid-Safe Search Engines
- KidsClick - Extensive catalogue of kid safe sites created by a group of librarians at the Ramapo Catskill Library System.
- Yahoo! Kids - Kid-safe search engine from Yahoo.
- 700+ Great Sites! - A collection of Web sites geared towards children.
Shopping
- Safe Shopping.org - A comprehensive site dedicated to online shopping safety, brought to you by the American Bar Association.
- Federal Trade Commission online shopping Web site
- PC Magazine's Safe Shopping Tips - 11 tips for safe online shopping from PC Magazine.
- PC World's Safe Shopping Tips - Safe online shopping tips from PC World Magazine
Online Fraud Information
- OnGuardOnline.gov - Information on various types of fraud, including Internet and telemarketing fraud, from Fraud.org, a project of the National Consumers League.
- Looks Too Good to Be True.com - Provides practical tips and information on various types of online fraud from government and retail entities.
Nigerian 419 Email Scam
- Nigerian 419 Scam information - from the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria
- Nigerian 419 Scam information - from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission
Auction Fraud
- Auction Fraud - Federal Trade Commission - Information on auction fraud from the Federal Trade Commission.
- Internet Auction Fraud - FBI - Helpful tips on how to avoid becoming a victim of Internet auction fraud from the FBI. (link is )
- Using Escrow Services - National Consumers League - How to select a bona fide auction escrow service from the National Consumers League.
Identity Theft
- Prosecutor's Office Identity Theft Page - Additional information concerning Identity Theft from the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office.
- Identity Theft Resource Center - A non-profit organization devoted to helping people avoid and recover from identity theft.
- Identity Theft - Federal Trade Commission - Information on identity theft and what to do when someone steals your identity from the Federal Trade Commission.
- Identity Theft - Department of Justice - Information on identity theft and what to do when someone steals your identity from the Department of Justice.
- Coping with Identity Theft: What To Do When An Imposter Strikes - From the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse
- Fight Identity Theft - Clear, concise directions on how to prevent identity theft and what to do if your identity is stolen.
- Identity Theft - IRS - Information on Phishing and Identity Theft from the IRS.
Home Network and Computer Security
- Home Network Security - Best practices for securing your home network from the National Security Agency.
- The Ultimate Guide to Home Networking - Information on setting up and securing a home network (wired or Wi-Fi) from PC World Magazine.
Facebook Privacy Settings
- Avoid Facebook Disasters - from PC World Magazine.
- Facebook privacy: a guide - from Ars Technica.
Facebook Privacy - Help and information on Facebook's privacy settings from Facebook.
Myspace Privacy Settings
Youtube Parental Guidance
- Parental Guidance on Web Video for Children - From the NY Times.
