CONTENTS

September, 2019

The Old Starmount Neighborhood, Greensboro, North Carolina

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15 Dangerous Apps for Children and Teens

FYI from GPD

School Bus Stop Law

Be Prepared!

Plan Ahead!

THIS MONTH: SEPTEMBER SAFETY

HOME ALONE

Ensuring the safety of children who are home alone after

school is a big concern for many parents. Often, the rule

given to children is, "Don't let a stranger inside the house."

It's a good rule, but ineffective. Kids expect strangers to be

"scary" when indeed someone who means to do your child

harm can look like an everyday person. And some of the

greatest threats to a child’s safety can come from someone on the Internet

and not at the front door!

Here are a few rules you should teach your child if he or she will be left

home alone: (http://www.greensboro-nc.gov/index.aspx?page=1975)

Keep all doors shut. Instead of telling kids not to let a stranger in, the

real rule should be: “Keep the doors shut and locked at all times.” If someone

comes to the door, your child can communicate with this person through the

door.

Have a check-in time. Ask your child to call to let you know that he

or she has arrived home safely. Set a consistent time for the child to call

you each day. Give him/her about 10 minutes leeway to allow for a slow bus

or any other event that might occur and disrupt the schedule. You can start to

worry if he/she doesn't meet this deadline. Find a close neighbor who is

usually home around this time. If you can't be reached, make sure your child

knows to call this person to check in. Grandparents can provide an excellent

"assist" to parents, and if living in town, might welcome a call from a

grandchild to say he/she is home from school.

Have a plan. Remember that kids who are home alone are much more

likely to encounter dangers such as fire from burning popcorn or falling down

the stairs than being abducted by a stranger. It is very important that your

family has a plan and that your child knows how to react to different

situations. Run practice drills, and make sure your child does not hesitate or

deviate from the plan that you have enacted.

Rules for Internet use. Children need to know what is okay to do until

mom or dad get home, and what is not. Instruct them to get started on home-

work, let the dog out, and have a snack. Be clear on what friends can come

over, and what Web sites they can visit and which are off limits. These are

decisions and rules that you should discuss with your child and decide on

before school begins. There can be structure to a child’s afternoon, even if no

one else is home, leaving less opportunity for an unsupervised child to get into

trouble.

This newsletter is compiled by us

as part of the Old Starmount

Community Watch program and is

being made available, upon

request, to other neighborhood

Community Watch groups for

distribution. Our thinking is the

more people we can educate and

inform, the safer we all will be.

We receive information from

many sources and pass on things

we feel would be of interest to

others. Any information copied

directly from a source has a

reference for that source.

If you have suggestions for

articles, please contact us. We

have a number of law enforce-

ment people always willing to

help us get answers.

We also invite you to “like” our

Facebook page on which we post

information throughout the month. www.facebook.com/OldStarmount

Ed and Bev Andrews

Old Starmount

Community Watch Coordinators

forestdalewatch@yahoo.com

POLICE WARN ABOUT 15 APPS PARENTS SHOULD WATCH FOR ON THEIR KIDS’ PHONES

https://www.nbc4i.com/news/u-s-world/15-apps-police-say-parents-should-look-out-for-on-their-kids-phones/

Meetme is a dating social media app that allows users to connect with people based on geographic proximity. As the app’s name suggests, users are encouraged to meet each other in person.

Grindr is a dating app geared to-ward gay, bi, and transgender peo-ple. The app gives users options to chat, share photos and meet up based on a smart phone’s GPS loca-tion.

Skout is a location-based dating app and website. While users under 17 years old are unable to share private photos, kids can easily create an account using a different age.

Badoo is a dating and social networking app where users can chat, share photos and videos and connect based on location. While the app is intended for adults only, teens are known to create profiles.

TikTok is a new mobile device app popular with kids used for creating and sharing short videos. With very limited privacy controls, users are vulnerable to bullying and explicit content.

Whatsapp is a popular messaging app that allows users to send texts, photos, voicemails, make calls and video chats worldwide. Whatsapp uses an internet

connection on smart phones and computers.

Kik allows anyone to contact and direct message your child. Kids can bypass traditional text messaging features. Kik gives users unlimited access to anyone, anywhere, anytime.

Snapchat is one of the most popular apps in recent years. While the app promises users can take a photo/video and it will disappear, new features including ‘stories’ allow users to view content for up

to 24 hours. Snapchat also allows users to see your location.

Bumble is similar to the popular dating app ‘Tinder’ however, it requires women to make the first contact. Kids have been known to use Bumble to create fake accounts and falsify their age.

Hot or Not encourages users to rate your profile, check out people in their area, and chat with strangers. The goal of this app is to hook up.

Calculator% is only one of SEVERAL secret apps used to hide photos, videos, files and browser history

Ask.fm is known for cyber bullying. The app encourages users to allow anonymous people to ask them questions.

Whisper is an anonymous social network that promotes sharing secrets with strangers. It also reveals a user’s location so people can meet up.

Holla is a self-proclaimed ‘addicting’ video chat app that allows users to meet people all over the world in just seconds. Reviewers say they have been confronted with racial slurs, explicit content and more.

Live.me is a live-streaming video app that uses geolocation to share videos so users can find out a broadcaster’s exact location. Users can earn ‘coins’ as a way to ‘pay’ minors for photos.

Here’s what you can do to help protect your children:

Approve every app on your kid’s phone

Check privacy settings

Talk with your kids about phone use, apps, and social media.

Find out what is popular in your region. Different apps catch on in different locations. Page 2

G R E E N S B O R O P O L I C E

Child Internet Safety Tips for Parents

Your child spends a lot of time on-line. We want our kids to be as safe in the virtual world as they are in the real world. Here are a few things you can do to ensure your child is safe while on-line:

Talk to your child about the risks of internet use. Set boundaries on your child’s use of the computer. Discuss what types

of site are off-limits, what types of messages are inappropriate. Then, supervise your child while he is on-line until you build trust. Learn the “texting code”. Lack of parental supervision is an open invitation for cyber -predators and cyber-bullies.

Place the computer in an open area where it is easier to monitor your child’s web browsing. Prevent placing a computer in

a child’s room — privacy can be detrimental.

Know what on-line video games your child is playing. Gaming systems with internet access allow cyber-predators to play

alongside youth in multi-competitor formats.

Install content blockers and filters. They allow you more control over where your child goes and what he does online.

Consider tracking software. This software enables you to see which sites your child has visited, tracking their path online.

Check your child’s e-mail, social media sites, and text messages to ensure content is age-appropriate and not harmful.

Cyber-bullying is largely undetected because it occurs in the context of taunts or malicious messages sent via electronic means.

If your child has a cell phone, contact your cell provider about available calling packages that limit use and content.

Today’s smart phones are mini-computers with unlimited capabilities to browse the internet.

Pay attention to your child’s behavior. Look for signs of acting withdrawn, lack of confidence, being secretive and avoiding

social interactions. Also be aware of the opposite characteristics of being overly aggressive, increased physical confrontations or coercion of peers. These are cues something is wrong.

https://www.greensboro-nc.gov/home/showdocument?id=13301 Non-emergency 336-373-2222 Community Relations 336-373-2723

As children go back to school, parents may be left wondering what to do with the children after school and before the

parents get home from work. Some may again wrestle with answers after facing this problem the previous year. Others

may be confronted for the first time. Below is some information from the Greensboro Police Department that may help

you make a decision.

Here are some questions to ask yourself when considering leaving a child at home alone: (From the GPD Facebook Page, August 3, 2014)

How long will your child be home alone? Will it be during the morning hours before school or the afternoon

hours after school?

Will he/she be required to fix himself a snack or a meal?

Will your child be alone? If siblings are under his/her care, is your child capable of this and willing to do so?

How child-safe is your home?

Do you believe your neighborhood is safe? Is there someone close by who he can call if there is an emergency?

These are all questions that must be answered prior to making a decision to leave a child home alone. Rules must be set

for guiding a child regarding the questions above.

FYI from the GPD

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NORTH CAROLINA SCHOOL BUS STOP LAW

http://www.ncbussafety.org/SchoolBusSafety/SBSWlaw.html

SCHOOL BUS SAFETY TIPS https://www.greensboro-nc.gov/home/showdocument?id=13862

Always walk on the sidewalk to the bus stop; never run. If there is no sidewalk, walk on the left, facing traffic. Do not run and play while waiting for the bus. Hold the handrail while going up and down the bus stairs. When entering the bus, go directly to a seat. Remain seated and face forward during the entire ride. Keep the aisles clear at all times. Feet should be directly in front of you with book bags kept in your lap. DO NOT play with or block the emergency exits. In case of emergency, listen carefully to all instructions given by

the driver. Keep your hands to yourself at all times. Fighting and picking on others creates a dangerous ride. Never throw things on the bus or out the bus windows. Walk in front of the bus; never walk behind the bus to cross the street. Be aware of the "Danger Zone." Always remain at least 10 steps away from the bus to be out of the "Danger

Zone" and where the driver can see you. Page 4

G.E.A.N.I.

Guilford Emergency Alert, Notification, and Information System http://readyguilford.com/geani-sign-up/

How the System Works

The Guilford Emergency Alert, Notification, and Information System “G.E.A.N.I.” is an automated system to notify you of urgent and emergency information through your cell phone, home phone and/or email. The system provides time sensitive, geographically based public safety messages through voice, text, and e-mail, and is available to all residents and businesses within Guilford County (including City of High Point residents in Forsyth, Davidson, and Randolph Counties).

The system is activated by public safety personnel to provide you with information about evacuations, shelter-in-place incidents, severe weather response and recovery efforts, law enforcement events, and other urgent incidents that affect your safety.

If you have a traditional land line telephone number which is not marked as “unpublished” you are automatically enrolled in G.E.A.N.I., and will receive notifications affecting your area.

Cellular and VoIP telephones are not automatically added to the system database . If you would like to receive notifications on your cellular or VoIP device, you must self register on the G.E.A.N.I. system.

Participation is voluntary and your number will not be shared for any other purpose. Although this is a free service, you may be charged a standard fee from your cellular phone service provider if you exceed your current data plan for receiving voice calls or text messages. The agencies involved in G.E.A.N.I. are not responsible for any charges that may be incurred as a result of receiving these alerts. Voice notifications will be sent to your designated phone from telephone numbers (336) 641–8100 and we recommend adding this number to your phone’s contact list. Register by going to https://member.everbridge.net/index/453003085615483#/signup

If you wish not to receive notifications, you can opt out of the system by sending an e-mail to GEANI@myguilford.com.

It’s been said “a little knowledge is a dangerous thing,” but even a little knowledge can make a huge difference when we find ourselves in an emergency situation. It’s what we DON’T know that may compromise our safety!

We’re fortunate here in Guilford County to have a voluntary emergency public safety alert system, available to us FREE, to keep us informed about potentially dangerous situations and give us advanced notice so we can take steps to protect ourselves if such situations threaten us or our loved ones. Notification will be sent out to telephone numbers you register, and you can customize what type alerts you wish to receive (weather, Amber Alerts, law-enforcement alerts, etc.) These notifications are geographically-based to your location to alert you to warnings that may directly affect you. For more information, go to https://www.greensboro-nc.gov/departments/police/i-want-to/get-emergency-alerts-geani

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KEEP A “GO BAG”

A “Go Bag” will be very important should you have to leave your home quickly. These will help you and your family

be prepared for any situation in which you find yourselves.

Prepare a bag for each family member.

The bag should contain items that will be needed for any time during the year.

The bag should be sturdy preferable with a strap or handle to make it easy to carry.

Bags should be stored in a location that’s easily accessed. If possible, it would be ideal to have a bag at your home,

at your work place, and in your car.

Every 6 months, you should take inventory of the items in your bag and update anything that is out-of-date or not

needed.

For more information and a list of items to include, go to https://www.greensboro-nc.gov/departments/fire/emergency-management/emergency-preparedness/go-bag

EMERGENCY SUPPLY KITS

Should a wide-scale emergency happen, it’s recommended you have at least 3 days of

necessary supplies stored for you and your family. All items should be stored in a single

area, if possible, and in waterproof containers if it’s something that water could damage.

Basic services may be slow to return, and it may be a while before you have water,

electricity, and phone services. Be sure to include non -perishable food that can be

heated using a fire or camp stove or eaten from a can.

Basic Emergency Supply Kit: https://www.greensboro-nc.gov/home/showdocument?id=5564

HAVE A PLAN

Be prepared in advance with checklists of what to do, when, how, and why. Always keep your car in good condition in

case you and your family would need to evacuate. Planning ahead will save time in an emergency, and sometimes

minutes can mean keeping your family safe.

Basic Preparedness Checklist, Family Plan Form, and Evacuation Checklist https://www.greensboro-nc.gov/home/showdocument?id=5563

LEARNING TOOLS

FOR CHILDREN

Parents can use fun activities to teach their children about

the weather and weather emergencies. The following site

has various learning activities (coloring books,

worksheets, games, etc.) as well as links to resources

parents and educators can use.

These resources are a great way to start a family

discussion

Go to: https://www.nssl.noaa.gov/education/students/

LEARNING RESOURCE

FOR EVERYONE

Make it a family time! Get some special snacks, turn off

the television, and talk! Get ideas from the children

about planning for emergencies. If they have input, they

likely will remember the specifics.

Discuss what types of emergencies may affect your

family (hurricane, tornado, ice storm, fire, etc.) and what

your options may be if your family is put into a

disastrous situation.

Go to: https://www.nssl.noaa.gov/education/everyone/

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