Attorney General Lisa Madigan released her annual Safe Shopping Guide highlighting hazardous toys, children’s products and household items that have been recalled over the past year to help Illinois families ensure their home is safe for the holidays. The 2015 Safe Shopping Guide includes detailed descriptions and photographs of nearly 100 children’s products recalled in the last year – from popular children’s toys and games that pose choking hazards to children’s furniture and playsets that pose entrapment or falling risks. The digital age has created a new landscape that presents new dangers to children in particular, who can be vulnerable when using the Internet, online games or apps. Madigan’s office offers specific tips parents can follow to ensure their children use these ubiquitous Internet-accessible devices safely. To help parents navigate these issues, this year’s guide offers tips for parents to create safe and positive online experiences for children of all ages:

1. Maintain open communication with your child about technology and the appropriate uses of it.
2. Make sure your child knows they cannot be anonymous on the Internet.
3. Talk to your child about what should never be posted online and the dangers of posting too much information.
4. Explain that posting online is just like writing in permanent marker – it cannot be erased.
5. Engage your child in continuous conversations about how to behave online.
6. Complete a “use agreement” with your child and talk about respecting others online. Establish and enforce household rules for technology usage.
7. Discuss why strong passwords are important, how to create them and the need to keep them private. Obtain all passwords for devices and apps.
8. Stay informed on your child’s Internet habits, review their user history and observe their social media activity. Know who their friends and followers are.
9. Be aware of changes in your child’s behavior that may indicate cyberbullying.
10. Never threaten to take away your child’s phone or Internet access. This could prevent them from approaching you in the future about online problems.

For more information or assistance, Attorney General Madigan urged Illinois residents to contact her office’s Internet Safety Team at 1-888-414-7678 or email them at e-info@atg.state.il.us to connect with an Internet Safety Specialist. Madigan’s Internet Safety Team regularly provides schools, teachers, students and parents with online safety tips, helping children understand the importance of using safe online practices.