The Internet contains a
wealth of valuable information. Unfortunately, it
also presents thousands of websites that simply are
not suitable for children. WriteAPrisoner.com is
dedicated to protecting children from such content.
Please take a moment to learn more about the steps
we take to keep kids safe online, as well as ways
you can help. Also, please check out
Precautionary Measures Taken by WriteAPrisoner.com
for additional measures taken to safeguard the
public.
How
WriteAPrisoner.com Keeps Kids Safe Online
Our policy strictly prohibits
minors from contacting inmates or from even
accessing our website. When a pen pal emails an
inmate on our website, certain information is
recorded, such as the Internet Provider Address and
Internet Server. This information can be used to
contact and pinpoint a user’s Internet provider,
such as AOL or Yahoo. If a minor contacts an inmate,
the minor is reported to their hosting company, and
we send a letter to the resident of the house
notifying the adult on record of what happened. We
also send the inmate a letter acknowledging that we
are aware of what has transpired and request he/she
ceases contact with the minor. In addition, the
email address from which the message originated is
permanently blocked from sending any further
messages to our site. This is almost a non-existent
occurrence. The inmates are not seeking
correspondence with minors. An inmate’s mail is
already much more regulated than a normal citizen’s
mail, and they realize this will only bring more
problems.
How You Can Help Keep Kids
Safe Online
- Become computer literate.
Today’s children are especially Internet savvy,
so it’s important that you learn how to block
objectionable material.
- Install search filter
software, which can be found at:
www.netnanny.com,
www.cyberpatrol.com or
www.safesurf.com. In addition to these
sites, many Internet Service Providers provide
Parental Controls to help make the Internet
safer for children. Please check with your
specific Internet Service Provider for more
information.
- Set rules and guidelines for
Internet use by your child. Go over these rules
with them to ensure they understand the rules.
It’s also a good idea to post the rules near the
computer as a reminder.
- Place your computer in a
common area, such as the kitchen or living room.
This makes it easier to monitor your child’s
computer activity.
- Set up a shared email address
with your child, so you can monitor email
messages and other online activity.
- Never use your child’s real
name in his/her screen name or email address.
Also, make sure your child knows never to share
personal information such as name, school name,
location, address, and phone number.
- Bookmark your child’s
favorite websites for quick and easy access.
- Maintain an open line of
communication and encourage your child to tell
you if he/she has encountered an uncomfortable
online situation. Take any such claims seriously
and praise your child for coming to you with
this information.