Other Council Sites:

GSUSA's Internet Safety Tips for Girls

• Never reveal their passwords to anyone, even to friends.

• Never reveal their name, address, telephone number, or any other personal information online.

• Never send personal or family pictures to anyone online unless OK'd by parents.

• Never open e-mail attachments from unknown people.  Viruses can spread quickly online and could seriously damage your computer.

• Log off and immediately tell a parent or guardian if an inappropriate e-mail is received or anything else upsetting is seen online.

• Always think carefully about what is sent and to whom.  Nothing is private over the Internet.

• NEVER make plans to meet in person with someone met online.  Things are not always as they seem online and some bad adults pretend they are children in order to meet other children.  Protect yourself.

The following website is a great resource for training kids to use the internet safely. 
http://www.netsmartz.org/resources/nsresources.htm

Because the above list is not complete and does not address every situation, girls are advised that if they have doubts about any situation they encounter online, they should log off the Internet and ask a parent or guardian for help.

Requesting Forms, Books, Materials via Email from the Council

If you are requesting forms, books, or other materials via Email, you should also include your phone number and mailing address to assure receiving a prompt reply.

Internet Safety Alert: Personal Identification on Girl Scout Web Sites

Not everyone seems to be aware that while a Web site can provide valuable information to Girl Scout audiences, it can also be a source of danger if text is posted on it indiscriminately. People working on Girl Scout Web sites have sometimes included seemingly innocent details that identify girls and places they go, not realizing that these identifiers are just what cyberstalkers who prey on children are looking for. Here are a few tips to ensure the safety of girls/troops referred to on Girl Scout Web sites.  [To see official GSUSA procedures for troop web sites - click here]

*Use only first names of girls.
*Never use pictures of individual girls if they are identified in any way, even by only first name.
*Never post addresses, phone numbers, or e-mail addresses of girls.
*Don't list addresses of troop meeting places or the dates and times of the meetings.
*Don't post addresses for council program event sites and facilities (such as camps).

For more information on troop safety on the Web, see the winter 1998 issue of Girl Scout Leader.

GIRL SCOUT COOKIE PROGRAM NOTICE:

GSUSA’s POLICY ON “INTERNET SALES”

The National Board of Directors adopted the following policy on June 4, 2000:

Internet Sales: Sales on a Web site on the Internet* of any products sold in “council-sponsored product sales,” such as Girl Scout cookies, candy, nuts, calendars, or magazine subscriptions, may not be conducted by anyone at any time. 

Sales on the Internet* of Girl Scout merchandise, such as uniforms, insignia, publications, and equipment, may only be conducted by duly authorized and licensed Girl Scout councils, council shops, retail agencies and/or GSUSA licensed vendors. Permission to sell on the Internet must be obtained from GSUSA.

For safety and security reasons, sales on the Internet* for any Girl Scout “troop/group money earning activities” may not be conducted by individual girls, parents, or other adults.

*Sales on the Internet include on-line auctions, broadcast e-mail messages, and/or posting on individual Girl Scout, troop/group or Girl Scout council Web sites.  

Girls may use e-mail to alert their friends and relatives about our local Girl Scout cookie sale.

Internet Safety Tips For Parents

While Internet filters are part of the solution, Internet safety policies and guidelines can help make the Internet a safer experience for your family members.

Here are some general guidelines: 
Place your computer in an open room with the monitor facing out. This allows you to see and control what is occurring on the Internet. 

Educate your children about the Internet, both the positives and the potential dangers.

Bookmark child-friendly web sites. This allows your children to easily get to safe sites that they have used before.

Teach your children that Internet safety means never giving out personal information over the Internet.

Share your Internet child safety experiences, both good and bad, with others.

Teach your children to refrain from chat rooms.

Don’t install Peer-to-peer applications. A high percentage of what occurs with children and peer-to-peer applications is related to either illegal or immoral activities.

Teach children to crash and tell. If they encounter a bad experience, they should feel comfortable in immediately turning off the computer and talking with a parent about the experience.

Never allow your children to meet with someone from an online session unless the parent approves.

Know the parents of your children’s friends.

Teach children to never open email from someone they don’t know.

Never respond to or unsubscribe on a pornographic email. If you or your child receives a message that is harassing, of a sexual nature, or threatening, forward a copy of the message to your ISP, and ask for assistance.

Internet child safety is crucial in creating a fun and safe family Internet experience.
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