Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) recognizes the instructional benefits of the Internet but at the same time strives to protect students from its risks.  Parents should be reassured to know that the school division has an Acceptable Use Policy designed to ensure the safety of students and which clearly states the appropriate use of its computer system and the consequences for misuse. 

VBCPS staff understands the importance of Internet/computer safety and that parents have concerns about protecting their child or children from potentially harmful situations. As a result, the school division has developed a division-wide Internet Safety Plan that is incorporated into the K-12 curriculum and instructional setting during the school year – in every school. Virginia Beach City Public Schools’ staff is committed to keeping pace with the most current information available on Internet safety and communicating these updates to students for their protection and well being.

The following Internet safety tips are intended to help parents maintain a secure environment for their home computer and protect their children when they use the Internet. Additional Internet safety tips can be found on the home page of the school division’s Web site, www.vbschools.com.

Computer/Internet Safety Tips

• Clear, simple, easy-to-read house rules should be posted on or near the monitor.
  
  
• Look into safeguarding programs or options your online service provider might offer. These may include monitoring or filtering capabilities.

• Always read a Web site's privacy policy before giving any personal information. Also, make sure that a Web site offers a secure connection before giving credit-card information.

• Web sites for children are not permitted to request personal information without a parent's permission. Talk to children about what personal information is and why they should never give it to people online.

• If children use chat rooms, instant messaging, or e-mail, talk to them about never meeting in person with anyone they first "met" online.

• Talk to children about not responding to offensive or dangerous e-mail, chat, or other communications. Report any such communication to local law enforcement. Do not delete the offensive or dangerous e-mail; turn off the monitor, and contact local law enforcement.

• Keep the computer in the family room or another open area of your home.
  
  
• If you suspect online "stalking" or sexual exploitation of a child, report it to your local law-enforcement agency.