Safe Environment Programs

The Oakland Diocesan Safe Environment for Children Project has been implemented in all parishes and Catholic schools. All parish and parish school volunteers are required to complete an online training session on child abuse and child safety issues every three years, comply with all guidelines regarding the Safe Environment for Children Project, and submit to a Megan's Law Screening which checks school volunteer rosters against law enforcements list of registered sex offenders.

Parish personnel, school staff members, and parents work together to make the parish and school environment as safe as possible.

Shield the Vulnerable
Dedicated to raising awareness and prevention of mistreatment of children and the elderly by training young people and adults about abuse, neglect, predators, bullying, boundaries, respect, and the perils of cyberspace.

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Internet Safety

Social networking is a part of our daily lives. It is important to be aware of the many issues that can arise from global digital communication. Safety issues, privacy concerns, and cyberbullying have become at part of online technology. Beware and protect your children through tips offered at these websites.

CyberSafety Tips

An interactive, educational program of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children® (NCMEC) that provides age-appropriate resources to help teach children how to be safer on and off line.: http://www.netsmartz.org

Cyberbullying

The website, No Bully is a San Francisco-based 501(c)(3) non-profit. Its mission is to bring innovative, long-term solutions to school bullying, harassment and violence.

Here are a few tips to address cyberbullying.

• Establish a respectful environment at home. Be mindful of how you talk about others in front of your child.
• Have a conversation with your teen about social networking sites and the effect of posting false words, rumors and hurtful images.
  
• Teach your child how to protect their anonymity e.g. always use a screen name, do not respond to insults or threats, do not give out personal details such as your last name, date of birth, your school, the dangers of phishing.
  
• Do not give ANYONE your password (not even your best friend), so that no one can pretend to be you online.
  
• Discuss with your child the responsibilities that come with social networking privileges e.g. what to post, what not to post.
  
• Respect others. Do not participate in cyberbullying, flaming, posting anything online that you would not say or show face to face.
  
• Give your child the assurance that you will not pull their internet privileges if they seek your help.
  
• Go over your house rules and consequences for misuse.

Internet Safety Tips And Guidelines

Google Family Safety Center
Advice From Google & their Partners To Keep Your Family Safe Online.

Yahoo Safely
Learn how to make smart and safer choices online.

Parents Guide to Facebook
Designed to help parents understand what Facebook is and how to use it safely.