Maryland State Police promote digital safety on Safer Internet Day

MARYLAND (WBFF) — The Maryland State Police Computer Crimes Unit is raising awareness on Safer Internet Day, Feb. 10, by encouraging people of all ages to practice smart and safe online habits.

Safer Internet Day is a global effort aimed at raising awareness about digital threats such as cyberbullying, human trafficking, and the risks tied to social media and online communication.

Investigators stress that children and senior citizens are especially vulnerable, as online criminals often target those age groups.

Police urge parents to stay actively involved in their children’s digital lives, while reminding seniors to be cautious when sharing personal information online.

Internet Safety Tips for Parents:

• continuously monitor your child’s online activity
• be aware of who your children are communicating with online
• talk with your children about online content
• remind children to avoid communication with strangers
• maintain control of apps downloaded on your child’s device
• be aware of what children see and hear and who they meet
• know what information your child is sharing

Internet Tips for Senior Citizens:

• use extreme caution when sharing personal information online
• avoid suspicious emails that ask for personal information
• avoid the release of personal information in an unsafe forum
• maintain adequate internet security
• avoid any requests for remote access to your computer

The Maryland State Police work closely with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the Internet Crime Complaint Center to investigate and prevent internet-based crimes.