Dave McDonough
Assemblyman
Dave McDonough:
Safeguarding Our Kids Online


Commonly- Used Online Acronyms
AFAICAs far as I’m concerned AFKAway from keyboard
AIMAOL Instant Messenger A/S/LAge/Sex/Location
ATMAt the moment BBSBe back soon
BCNUBe seeing you BFBoyfriend
BFN/B4NBye for now BMGBe my guest
BOTOHBut on the other hand BRBBe right back
BTDTBeen there, done that CD9Code 9: Parents nearby
CIDConsider it done CSLCan’t stop laughing
CUSee you CUL or CUL8RSee you later
DQMOTDon’t quote me on this F2FFace to face
FWIWFor what it’s worth G2GGot to go
GFGirlfriend GGNGotta go now
GOL Giggle out loud H8Hate
HAKHugs and kisses HANDHave a nice day
ICI see ILYI love you
IMInstant Message IRLIn real life
JKJust kidding KISKeep it simple
KITKeep in touch L8 or L8RLate or Later
LBHLet’s be honest LOLLaughing out loud
MIRLMeet in real life MorFMale or Female
NEAny NBDNo big deal
NMUNot much, you? NPNo problem
Noob“Newbie” (a novice) OICOh, I see
OMGOh my god OTPOn the phone
P911Parent emergency PAWParents are watching
PCMPlease call me PIRParents in room
PLZPlease POCPoint of contact
POSParents over shoulder PRWParents are watching
ROFLRolling on floor laughing RLReal life
RSNReal soon now RUOK?Are you okay?
SFETESmiling from ear to ear SITStay in touch
SOZSorry SYSSee you soon
TAFNThat’s all for now TBHTo be honest
THXThanks TMBText me back
TOYThinking of you TTFNTa-ta for now
TTYLTalk to you later W/EWhatever
WFMWorks for me WTGWay to go
WUWhat’s up? WYGOWMWill you go out with me?
YT?You there? YWYou’re welcome

Assemblyman Dave McDonough:
Keeping Families Safe
photo
Assemblyman Dave McDonough, Chair of the Minority Task Force on Sex Offender Watch, knows that today’s children are computer savvy and spend hours a week on the Internet. Unfortunately, many sexual predators know this and are now online using Instant Messaging chats to meet potential victims.

Assemblyman Dave McDonough is working to protect our children from these dangerous predators and wants to help keep our children safe while online. Here are some tips to follow:

  • Keep computers in the family room so responsible adults can monitor Internet use and online discussions.
  • Keep kids out of online chat rooms and monitor their online conversations (and be aware of commonly used acronyms), websites and “profiles” on social networking websites.
  • Get to know your child’s “online” friends just as you would get to know his or her other friends.
  • Set reasonable guidelines and rules for Internet usage, discuss these rules, and post them near the computer as a reminder. Consider signing a "family contract for online safety."
Teach Children to Remember
The 4 R’s
1 Recognize techniques used by online predators to deceive their victims.
2 Refuse requests for personal information.
3 Respond assertively if you are ever in an uncomfortable situation while online. Exit the program, log off or turn off the computer.
4 Report to law enforcement authorities any suspicious or dangerous contact that makes you uncomfortable.

Sample "Family Contract for Online Safety"

Kids’ Pledge:

  1. I will not give out personal information such as my address, phone number, parents’ work address/phone number, or the name and location of my school.
  2. I will tell my parents right away if I come across any information that makes me feel uncomfortable.
  3. I will never agree to get together with someone I “meet” online. If someone wants to meet me, I will tell my parents.
  4. I will never send or post a picture of my family or myself without first checking with my parents.
  5. I will not respond to messages that are mean or make me feel uncomfortable in any way and I will tell my parents right away so they can contact the service provider.
  6. I will not send or post mean or hurtful messages about other people. I understand that if I do so, the website, internet service provider, or my parents may revoke my Internet usage privileges.
  7. I will talk to my parents about our family rules for Internet usage, including what times I am allowed online, the length of time I can be online, and appropriate websites for me to visit. I will not break these rules or access other areas without first having my parent’s permission.
  8. I will not give out my passwords to anyone besides my parents. My parents will have access to all of my accounts online.
  9. I will check with my parents before downloading or installing software or programs, or anything else that may jeopardize my family’s privacy.
  10. I will help my parents understand how to have fun and learn things online and teach them about my interests online and with other technology.
  11. I agree to the above terms



    Child Signature

    I will help my child follow this agreement and will allow reasonable use of the Internet as long as these rules and other family rules are followed.



    Parent Signature

**** Click here for printable form ****

HOW TO OBTAIN INFORMATION ABOUT SEX OFFENDERS LIVING IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD
  • Call the Sex Offender Registry at 1-800-262-3257 to determine if someone is a registered sex offender. You will need the name of the person about whom you are inquiring and one of the following: an exact address, a complete date of birth, a driver’s license number or social security number.
  • Access the Sex Offender Subdirectory online through the State Division of Criminal Justice Services website at www.criminaljustice.state.ny.us. Click on "Search Subdirectory" and enter the name of the person about whom you are inquiring. For more general information, enter your county or zip code and a list of names of registered sex offenders in your area will appear.
If you have any questions or comments, please contact Assemblyman McDonough at mcdonoughd1@assembly.state.ny.us, call him at (516) 409-2070, or stop by his district office located at 404 Bedford Ave., Bellmore, NY 11710.

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