National news this week that nine people were killed while attending a prayer meeting at a Charleston, S.C.-church and local news that an area 3-year-old boy was the reported victim of a sexual assault served as a harsh reminder that at no age and in no place are we completely safe.

It’s a reality River Parishes parents deal with on a constant basis — one that is especially heightened in the summer months when school is out of session.

Many Louisiana youth have more time now to spend online, and Louisiana Attorney General Buddy Caldwell said that brings an increased risk of exposure to harmful or inappropriate content on the Internet.

To combat that threat, June has been deemed Internet Safety Month.

“Surfing the web offers incredible opportunities for learning and entertainment, but unfortunately your child may be one click away from danger,” Caldwell said this week. “Without the proper supervision, children can easily be exposed to inappropriate material and messages, be exploited by sexual predators and even fall victim to con artists.”

Caldwell suggests parents establish ground-rules before allowing their children to access the Internet.

His office suggested the following safety tips for parents to share with their children:

• Do not give out any personal information.

• Never assume others are really who they say they are.

• Never agree to meet with an online acquaintance.

• Do not pick screen names that give away personal information.

• Do not respond to any message that makes you feel uncomfortable, and report it to a parent or guardian.

Parents should be proactive by monitoring their children’s online communications, including text messages, email and posts to social media, authorities said.

The Attorney General’s website — AGBuddyCaldwell.com — contains information about Internet safety.

Please report suspected cases of Internet crime to the Cyber Crime Unit at 800-256-4506.