A safety pledge has been launched by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to help keep kids safe online. The website safetypledge.org has a toolkit for parents to use including discussion guides and what to watch for online.

Washington Police Chief Jim Lester, who is part of the Iowa Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce, encourages people locally to take the pledge, “It’s, you know, related to actually COVID-19, the impact that that has had on our kids with socially distancing, quarantining. We’re still trying to know what that impact is going to be, but we do know that with the kids spending more time at home, they’re also spending more time online. And the national center is asking anyone who works with children – teachers, parents, to take that pledge. To make sure they’re monitoring that kids have access to things that are age appropriate. And have discussions with the kids with what they share who they communicate with online.”

He says communication is key and he encourages parents to have age-appropriate conversations with their children about online safety. Lester also says it is good for parents to have access to their children’s phones and passwords. Another step he recommends is having a central phone charging station at night so kids have a break from their phones.