RESOURCES
Parents and caregivers today need to be equipped to have conversations with their children about safety online, and they need to understand the unique risks when sexual exploration and technology mix. Thorn for Parents is a collection of useful resources, thoughtful tips, and expert information designed to help parents talk to their kids about online safety. Learn more below.
BE YOUR KID'S SAFETY NET
Parenting Tips for Online Safety
The best tool to prevent internet crimes against children is education and continued conversation. Check out the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force’s S.M.A.R.T quick reference guide for tips and resources to help you keep your kids safe while online.
The Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force is a multiagency task force that investigates and prosecutes persons who use the internet to sexually exploit or entice children. The Indiana State Police oversees the Indiana ICAC Task Force.
The Indiana ICAC Task Force encourages Hoosiers to report online exploitation, solicitation, and enticement type crimes against children to the NCMEC. To report a crime against your child involving the Internet or other electronic means, please contact your local Indiana law enforcement agency.
Indiana ICAC Task Force
NetSmartz is NCMEC's online safety education program. It provides age-appropriate videos and activities to help teach children be safer online with the goal of helping children to become more aware of potential online risks and empowering them to help prevent victimization by making safer choices on- and offline.
Online Safety Education
Apps & Controls
Know what apps and sites your child uses and learn how to be safe and aware of possible consequences. Learn more from Digital Futures Initiative about parental controls and how to talk with your child about creating an online safety plan.
Media Made For You
Common Sense Media reviews and provides advice to help you navigate the digital world with kids in mind.
ESRB ratings provide information about what’s in a game or app so parents and consumers can make informed choices about which games are right for their family.
REPORTING
Cyber Tipline
The CyberTipline is the place to report child sexual exploitation. If you believe you or someone you know is a victim of exploitation, there is help to report it. Fill out an online form or speak to someone directly.
Take It Down
Take It Down is a service provided by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. This service is one step you can take to help remove online nude, partially nude, or sexually explicit photos and videos taken before you were 18.
STOP CHILD ABUSE
Indiana is a mandatory reporting state; anyone who suspects a child has been neglected or abused must by state law make a report.
Child Abuse & Neglect Hotline
1-800-800-5556
Learn more about mandated reporting and your duty to report.