:: Protecting Kids Online ::
The siren of a fire engine, police car, or ambulance
has become a universal sound for an emergency. If we are in our
cars, we pull over. If we are at home, we look out the window, to
see where it’s headed. If it is coming to our own house,
it can’t come fast enough. It signals urgency. Immediacy. It
commands attention. And it comes or goes for a reason: a fire, an
injury, a car accident, or a crime. Someone has witnessed the
emergency and calls for help. The appropriate responder reacts;
stitches a wound, hoses down a fire, or protects citizens and makes
an arrest.
But what about dangers and emergencies that don’t alert a siren, a
fire truck or knock at the door?
Our children are growing up in a world of uncharted territory for
many parents. The new source of knowledge: the Internet. And what a
great learning tool it can be! Students can chat with other students
in other countries, research for a history paper, or simply read
up-to-date news on virtually any subject.
But the Internet, as much as it is an educational resource, it is
also an anonymous, unrestrained, and potentially destructive medium.
Many children have fallen victim to predatory adults, masking their
true identities to gain the trust of unsuspecting, vulnerable
children. Recently, a 17-year-old girl traveled halfway across the
world to meet her online boyfriend, who lived in the Middle East.
She left, without informing her parents, but with the work of
investigators, was intercepted by the Federal Bureau of
Investigation before crossing the border. She made it home safely.
Some are not as fortunate.
So what can you do to minimize the chances of an on-line exploiter
victimizing your child? While social networking sites can increase a
person's circle of friends, they also can increase exposure to
people with less than friendly intentions. Here are tips from the
Federal Trade Commission for helping your kids use these sites
safely:
- Keep the computer in an open area, like the kitchen or family
room, and use the Internet with your kids.
-
Talk to your kids about their online habits. Tell
them why it's important to keep their name, Social Security number,
address, phone number, and family financial information to
themselves.
-
Your children should be cautious about sharing other
information too, like the name of their school, sports teams, clubs,
where they work or hang out, or any other information that could be
used to identify them or locate them offline.
-
Make sure your kids’ screen names don't say too much
about them. Explain why it's inappropriate — even dangerous — to use
their full name, age, or hometown. Even if your kids think their
screen name makes them anonymous, it doesn't take a genius to
combine clues to figure out who your kids are and where they can be
found.
-
Your kids should post only information that you and
they are comfortable with others seeing and knowing. Let them know
that you are regularly reviewing what they and their friends are
posting on websites such as MySpace.
-
Warn your kids about the dangers of flirting with
strangers online.
-
Tell your children to trust their gut if they have
suspicions. If they feel threatened by someone or uncomfortable
because of something online, they need to tell you, and then report
it to the police.
As parents, we must keep our eyes open and work with our children on
the Internet. Keep open communication with your children. No
emergency phone call is made when our children come upon a
potentially harmful site or when they begin chatting with someone
with ill intentions. We must keep vigilant to protect them from
these ‘silent alarm’ dangers.
To learn more about staying safe online, visit the Federal Trade
Commission’s Onguard Online website —
www.OnGuardOnline.gov.
:: Visiting Our Nation's Capitol ::
Washington, D.C. is one of
the most beautiful and interesting cities in the world. I encourage
you to take advantage of its rich history and endless opportunities.
As you plan your trip to the nation's capitol, my office in
Washington can help.
My office is pleased to offer staff-led tours of the
United States
Capitol for groups of up to 15 constituents. These tours are
available from 9:30 - 3:30 Monday through Friday. As we have a
small staff and these tours are very popular, please book tours at
least four weeks in advance by filling out a
Tour Request Form. Passes to the House and Senate galleries are
available by stopping by my office in room 307 of the
Cannon House Office
Building.
We are also pleased to help set up tours of the
White House for groups 10
constituents or more. Because of high demand, White House tours
must be booked at least two months in advance and up to six months
in advance.
Feel free to contact our Tour Coordinator in our
Washington, DC office for information on obtaining a "Guide to DC"
package.
If you are interested in requesting a tour through
our office: please fill out the
Tour Request Form.
Below you will find links to some of the most
interesting and popular attractions in the DC Metro Area:
MONUMENTS &
MEMORIALS
ON CAPITOL HILL
HISTORIC HOMES &
AREAS
THE SMITHSONIAN
INSTITUTION
GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS
MUSEUMS & GALLERIES
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ON
THE HILL ....
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Current
Floor Proceedings
Bills
Coming Up This Week
Monthly
Whip Calendar |
OFFICE
LOCATIONS ....
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307 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
202.225.6365
505 Independence Pkwy, Suite 104
Chesapeake, VA 23320
757.382.0080
2903 Boulevard, Suite B
Colonial Heights, VA 23834
804.526.4969
425 H. South Main Street
Emporia, VA 23847
434.634.5575
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