Crisis Services
ASERT does not offer crisis services through our Resource Center. If you or someone you love is experiencing mental health distress or thoughts of suicide please call or text 988 for support.
Cyber Safety Resource Collection
The internet is an important resource for learning, communicating, and socializing. However, there can be challenges to staying safe online, and it is important to protect yourself to prevent negative experiences. This resource collection provides resources to help prepare individuals for how to stay safe online, and what to do if you have a negative experience.
These resources are intended to provide information and tips for cyber safety. They are general resources to help inform how to stay safe online.
General Resources
FBI: Scams & Safety
On the Internet: Be Cautious When Connected
Everyday tasks—opening an email attachment, following a link in a text message, making an online purchase—can open you up to online criminals who want to harm your systems or steal from you. Preventing internet-enabled crimes and cyber intrusions requires each of us to be aware and on guard.
Online Safety for Young People with Intellectual Disability
This research report discusses the experiences and challenges of engaging online by young people with an intellectual disability. It also discusses the concerns and awareness of their parents, carers and teachers in relation to keeping young people safe online and managing excessive technology use.
For Parents & Caregivers
Online Safety For Teens and Adults with ASD
Online life is rife with danger, and it can be difficult for families and
professionals working with teens and adults with autism spectrum disorder
(ASD) to monitor the risks these individuals are taking in the virtual world.
Getting knowledgeable about internet safety and arming them against the
obvious dangers can build a foundation for the support they will need to
safely navigate online.
Learning Disabilities, Autism and Internet Safety
All parents understand the importance of Internet safety. Our guide outlines some suggestions to help you limit the risk of your child having negative experiences online and understand what action can be taken if they do. This guide also suggests resources that will help your child get the most out of the Internet.
Digital Wellness Lab
The Boston Children’s Hospital Digital Wellness Lab provides the research-based information and actionable guidance for children from birth to young adulthood.
Family Online Safety Institute
The Family Online Safety Institute’s Good Digital Parenting resources provide parents and caregivers with the tools they need to confidently navigate the online world with their families.
NetSmartz Resources for Parents, Educators and Communities
Free multimedia internet safety presentations tailored for specific audiences — parents and communities, teens, tweens, and younger children. Presentations are split up by topic and age.
These resources are intended to provide information and tips on how to prevent negative experiences online.
Online Readiness Checklist
This resource, developed by ASERT and the Department of Human Services, provides a checklist to assess a person's readiness to participate in online communities.
View ResourceCyber Safety Tips and Tools
These resources, developed by ASERT, provide tips and tools for individuals to help stay safe when using the internet and social media.
View ResourceDating During a Pandemic
COVID-19 has changed the way we communicate and interact with others. This means the way we meet and get to know a potential romantic partner has also changed. This guide is designed to help self-advocates navigate dating during a pandemic.
View ResourceOnline and Mobile Safety
Online and mobile safety resources for staying safe online.
Internet Safety for Students and Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Webinar hosted by The Arc of New Jersey Family Institute and presented by Ashley Ritchey, Director of the New Jersey Self-Advocacy Project, attendees learned about internet safety and how to best support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities on the internet.
eSafety for Young People
Useful information to help you stay safe online.
Identifying and Avoiding Scams
The Worst Gift Card Scams Explained
Gift card scammers are raking in hundreds of millions of dollars, and trying to take YOUR MONEY! From anything like pretending to be the IRS, to accusing you of a crime and arresting you – here’s how gift card scams work, and how to avoid them.
FBI - Romance Scams
FBI provides tips for avoiding romance scams online.
How to Avoid a Scam- Consumer Advice (FTC)
Recognizing these common signs of a scam could help you avoid one.
Gift Card Scams- Consumer Advice (FTC)
Someone might ask you to pay for something by putting money on a gift card, like a Google Play or iTunes card, and then giving them the numbers on the back of the card. If they ask you to do this, they’re trying to scam you. No real business or government agency will ever insist you pay them with a gift card. Anyone who demands to be paid with a gift card is a scammer.
Norton: Online Scams: An overview + 20 internet scams to avoid in 2023
An overview of the top internet scams, how they work, the warning signs of a scam, and best practices for staying safe online.
Dating Challenges on the Autism Spectrum
A blog post by an autistic adult about online dating with a warning about online scammers.
How To Avoid Being Scammed Online: Internet Safety Against Fraud
Blog post on the best tips on how to avoid online scams, how to recognize scams, and what you can do to prevent them.
These resources are designed to provide information and tips on what to do if you are a victim of or are accused of a cyber crime.
Reporting a Cyber Crime
If you or a child is a victim of online crime you should notify your local authorities and file a complaint with:
- The Internet Crime Complaint Center: ic3.gov
- If you think a site has collected information or marketed in a way that violates law, you can report it to the FTC: http://www.ftc.gov/complaint
- If someone has had inappropriate contact with you, your child or another minor you know report it to https://report.cybertip.org/
Navigating the Adult Justice System
The following resources have been created by The Office of Developmental Programs in collaboration with William F. Ward, Retired Judge, Alleghany County, PA. These resources and self-guided Prezi presentation are intended for supporters to better understand the Pennsylvania justice process and identify places to engage, advocate, and intervene.
View ResourceSocial Stories and Interactive Resources
Social Stories
Online Safety Social Story
This resource provides a visual guide for individuals with autism about how to be safe online.
View ResourceInteractive Resources
Be Internet Awesome
The Be Internet Awesome Family Guide gives families the tools and resources to learn about online safety and citizenship at home.
FBI Safe Online Surfing
Online internet safety games for 4th grade through 8th grade.
This information was developed by the Autism Services, Education, Resources, and Training Collaborative (ASERT). For more information, please contact ASERT at 877-231-4244 or info@PAautism.org. ASERT is funded by the Bureau of Supports for Autism and Special Populations, PA Department of Human Services.