Parental Resources

Dark Web Information for Parents

Dark Web Summary: On September 10, 2018 Special Agent Clinton Kehr of the federal Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) travelled to Park City from Washington D.C. to educate parents and educators about the dangers of the dark web. Agent Kehr gave an overview of the dark web, its dangers and its history. He also gave a live demonstration of logging on to the dark web and showed a few examples of dark web marketplaces that sell narcotics (among other illicit contraband). Parents at this event learned several essential facts: 

1. The dark web provides a user with anonymity by routing their internet traffic through various "nodes" to hide a user's real Internet Protocol (IP) address.
2. In order to purchase anything on a dark web marketplace, one must use cryptocurrency (such as Bitcoin).
3. The most commonly used software to access the dark web browser is Tor. Tor website addresses end in ".onion"
4. Dark web methods, browsers and marketplaces quickly evolve and change. What is operational today may be gone tomorrow.
5. All types of illicit and illegal materials are available for purchase. Because the dark web deals in anonymity, the seller is also anonymous.

Agent Kehr's 8 Tips for Parents:

1. Familiarize yourself with the Apps and symbols associated with dark web browsers, encrypted messaging apps, and cryptocurrency tools. View examples of these Apps (PDF).
2. Install home firewalls to restrict not only content but also hours in which children can assess the internet.
3. Check home routers to see if there are parental control options available
4. See if your cell phone provider has parental control options to restrict internet usage and app usage of children.
5. Check Parental Resources to see if your child's email address and/or password may have been compromised in a data breach.
6. Do your own research on the dark web and discuss it with your children as they, or their friends, have most likely done their own research. The dark web will no longer be cool or mysterious if the parent knows about it, has discussed it with the child and knows how to monitor it.
7. Monitor packages that are shipped to your home via the U.S. Postal Service, UPS, FedEx and others.
8. Monitor your child's use of money and know where it is spent.

Chief Carpenter's Seven Tips to Parents:

1. Talk openly to your children about the dangers of illicit drugs and the fact that any substance they put into their bodies may be laced with something else.
2. Draw boundaries, lay down consequences for crossing those boundaries and stick to it.
3. Monitor your children's activity online and in everyday life.
4. Don't expect, inspect!
5. Keep your prescription medications a safe place and dispose of them properly when no longer in use (there are dispensaries for incineration at the Sheriff's Office and Police Department lobbies)
6. Encourage your child to have healthy interests and hobbies.
7. Be alert to underlying problems and issues that may lead your child to engage in risky behaviors.

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