As children grow, they explore and take risks. Risk taking provides young people with the opportunity to test their skills, abilities, and discover who they are. But, some risks can have harmful and long-lasting effects on their health and well-being. This is true for young people's online lives as well. Use the tools below to help support your child in leading a safer and more positive life online. Learn more about the importance of parental monitoring by reading the fact sheet, Monitoring Your Teen’s Activities: What Parents and Families Should Know.

Begin the Conversation

• Chatting with Kids about Being Online - English, Spanish
• How To Create A Great Environment to Talk
• Are You Web Aware Checklist for Parents
• Using Parental Controls, Set Up Safe Checklist for Parents
• Managing Your Child's Screen Time
• Lets Talk about Life Online
• Glossary of Terms with Social Media, Cyberbullying, and Online Safety

Technology Use Contracts

Find a media or device agreement that works for your family. These contracts set expectations and realistic rules to keep children safer while online, so they can make the most of their media and tech time.

• Common Sense Family Media Agreement
• Internet Use Contract
• Technology Use Contract
• New Tech Device Agreement

Caregivers can use the tools below to help their child lead a safer and more positive online life. Use the resources and contracts in the accordion drop down above to begin or continue this important conversation about the online world.

• Chatting with Kids about Being Online - English, Spanish
• Social Media and Tech Misuse Scenarios
• Tips on How to Create A Great Environment for Kids to Talk
• Using Parental Controls, Set Up Safe Checklist for Parents
• Lets Talk about Life Online
• Glossary of Terms with Social Media, Cyberbullying, and Online Safety
• Tips on Social Networking
• Top 10 Teen Tips for Creating Passwords
• Digital Dating Abuse Guide

Cyberbullying Information

• Cyberbullying Quick Guide for Parents
• Cyberbullying Prevention - Questions Parents Should Ask
• Cyberbullying Script for Parents to Talk to Their Teens
• Cyberbullying Warning Signs
• Making Cyberbullying Screenshots to Preserve Evidence
• Parent's Guide to Cyberbullying
• Responding to Cyberbullying Checklist
• Tips for Parents when Your Child Cyberbullies Others
• Tips for Parents when Your Child Is Cyberbullied

Sexting Information

• Sexting Advice for Parents
• Sexting Research Summary for Parents and Educators

Each of us must take an active role in keeping ourselves and our friends safer while online. Use the tools below to help make sure your online experiences remain fun and respectful.

Internet Safety and Social Networking Information

• Heads Up Stop Think Connect - English, Spanish
• Do you have NetSmartz?
• Social Media Safety for Teens
• Glossary of Terms with Social Media, Cyberbullying, and Online Safety
• Top 10 Teen Tips for Creating Passwords
• Top 10 Teen Tips for Digital Dating Abuse
• Top 10 Teen Tips for Cell Phone Safety
• A Student's Guide to Personal Publishing
• 10 Things You Should Know about Copyright
• 10 Things You Should Know about Free Speech, Copyright, and Fair Use

Cyberbullying Information

• Top 10 Tips for Being an Online Upstander with Cyberbullying
• Top 10 Tips for Teens on How to Respond when Cyberbullied
• Activities for Teens to Educate Their Community about Cyberbullying

Sexting Information

• Sexting an image of a minor is a crime in Florida. Make sure you stay safe: Sexting Advice for Teens

Per Policy 5306, Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) adheres to the belief that technology should play a vital role in meeting the needs of the broad range of abilities, cultural backgrounds, and ethnic populations represented in our district. To assure technology plays a prominent role while remaining safe and appropriate, BCPS has developed Social Media Use Guidelines to provide direction for employees, students, and the community when participating in online activities.

Find up to date user-friendly Social Media Guidelines flyers on the Code of Student Conduct webpage.

One post can change a student’s life and social media threats are no joke. BCPS uses the #ItsNoJoke campaign along with the #ThinkB4UPost Toolkit and lessons to help our students make the right choice when posting online.  Help us spread this message!

Please Note: A program or website being mentioned here does not imply endorsement by BCPS and does not necessarily reflect its views. Contact the program developers directly for the most current information.

• B4UClick aims to create a way to educate, communicate, and provide a method of reporting online abuse to children and adolescents.
• The Chatting with Kids About Being Online guide and the student Heads Up Booklet come from NetCetera.
• ChildNet's mission is to work with others to help make the internet a great and safe place for children.
• Common Sense Education provides numerous Family Tip Sheets for parents as well as lessons on online safety, cyber citizenship, and cyberbullying.
• Connect Safely is a nonprofit website dedicated to educating users (students, parents, staff) on technology, safety, privacy, and security.
• Cyberbullying Research Center provides the latest research on Internet safety as well as numerous resources for parents and students.
• Cyber Tip Line is housed within the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s website and is the nation’s centralized reporting system for the online exploitation of children. The public and electronic service providers can make reports of suspected online enticement of children for sexual acts, child sexual molestation, child sexual abuse material, child sex tourism, child sex trafficking, unsolicited obscene materials sent to a child, misleading domain names, and misleading words or digital images on the internet. 
• The Family Online Safety Institute's Good Digital Parenting provides parents and caregivers with the tools they need to confidently navigate the online world with their families.
• iKeepSafe.org teaches basic rules of Internet safety to children and parents.
• InternetMatters.org provides expert support and practical tips to help children use technology and the internet safely and smartly. 
• Media Smarts is home to one of the world’s most comprehensive collections of digital and media literacy resources. 
• NetCetera offers free online safety resources for teachers, parents, and students. Resources include toolkits, presentations for parents or teachers, videos, as well as free booklets for distribution.
• NetSmartz offers caregivers, students, and educators online resources for answering questions about Internet safety, computers, and the Web. 
• OnGuard Online provides practical tips from the federal government and the technology industry to help with  Internet fraud, computer security, and protecting your personal information. It includes games, videos, and other resources.
• ReviewLab's Online Safety Resource Guide has numerous links to resources and articles regarding online safety.
• SafeFlorida.net is a Florida website dedicated to fighting cybercrime and supporting cyber safety.
• Sextortion: If you believe you’re a victim of sextortion or know someone else who is, call your local FBI office or toll-free at 1-800-CALL-FBI.
• StopBullying.gov offers free information from various government agencies on what bullying and cyberbullying are, who is at risk, as well as how to prevent and respond to them. 
• Teachers' Essential Guide to Cyberbullying Prevention
• Web Wise Kids is a national nonprofit organization that specializes in interactive computerized games on internet safety.