A Parent’s Cheat Sheet to Cyber Safety: Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office

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http://www.BCPO.net

Tips & Info: 201-226-5532

Gurbir S. Grewal; Acting Bergen County Prosecutor

Basic Risks & Dangers

*Harassment and bullying episodes online and on Apps.

*Sexually explicit material and inappropriate contact with strangers AND real friends.

*Viruses, hackers and loss of personally identifiable info.

How to Reduce Online Risks

*Know your child’s accounts, the usernames and the passwords.

*Spot check online activity.

*Implement parental controls and privacy settings on each App.

*If an Apple device, add your child to the “family” iCloud:

-Location Services: see where your child’s Apple device is.

-See child’s App downloads.

-Access to child’s photos and stored content.

Discussion with Children

*Avoid talking to and sharing “pics”/”vids” with random online contacts.

*Never send pic/vids that are inappropriate. Ever.

*Don’t  engage in hateful, hurtful or alarming speech online.

*Think BEFORE you post! Words, pics and vids are permanent despite “deleting” them afterwards and despite any perception to the contrary.

*Never share passwords with anyone except parent/guardian; not even close friends.

*Use privacy settings; keep personal information limited especially posts/info visible to online acquaintances/strangers.

Report Suspicious Activity

The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office assists local police with cyber crime investigations. Promptly notify your local police. Save/screenshot pertinent material. Do not warn or threaten someone online about going to the police. Just report their behavior without delay!

B.C.P.O.

The mission of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office is to commit its resources, in partnership with the law enforcement community and citizens of Bergen County, to promote a safe and secure environment for the residents of Bergen County while maintaining the highest law enforcement standards. The members of this office will effectively and efficiently investigate and prosecute criminal offenders, fairly, impartially and justly. We will ensure and respect the rights of individual victims of crime.

In addition to it own proactive investigations, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office maintains specialized squads that are available to assist the municipal departments in the investigation of crimes calling for increased personnel, specialized equipment, technical know-how or highly specialized training. Such crimes include arson, homicide, sex crimes, drug trafficking, traditional organized crime, domestic violence, insurance fraud and most recently, computer crimes. These squads give each municipality in Bergen County the ability to bring additional resources to bear when presented with particularly challenging cases or particularly dangerous offenders.

Acting Bergen County Prosecutor:  Gurbir S. Grewal

Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office-Cyber Crimes Unit

Tips & Information: (201) 226-5532/ Online: http://www.BCPO.net

Disclaimer: This information was taken from the pamphlet supplied by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s office-Cyber Crime Unit. Please call the above number or email them for more information.