Parents' Guide to Children and the Internet

• Remember first and last: Parental guidance is important. Nothing, no software, no list of rules, can take the place of it. Supervise your children's and teens' use of the Internet. This may mean that the computer needs to be placed in a family area of your home and not in a child's bedroom.
• Before attempting to guide your child, educate yourself about surfing the Internet. If your child is already a pro, and you're not, let them teach you the basics. That can be a great way to accomplish the next tip.
• Talk with your child about what they use the Internet for. Let your child show you what they like to do online. Listen to what he or she has to say about their online interests and activities.
• Parents and children should agree on rules for using the Internet. Make a list together, then post them on the computer for ready reference.
• Discuss using the Internet wisely and safely with your children. Be sure to cover the following topics:

• Everything you see and hear on the Internet is not true. Discuss some of the ways to distinguish sound information and reliable web sites from poor or false information and shoddy web sites.
• People might not be who they seem to be or say they are online. Help your child understand what kinds of questions or exchanges on a bulletin board or in a chat room are questionable and to be avoided. Encourage your child to tell you or another trusted adult if someone or something online makes them uncomfortable.
• Never, ever give out personal information in chat rooms, instant messages, or other public online forums. Personal information includes full name, address, phone number, school, age, passwords, etc. – anything that would allow the other person to identify your child or use personal information.

• Safekids.com offers Internet safety resources. This site, which is presented by the Online Safety Project, provides extensive information and helpful resources including downloadable "Kids Rules for Online Safety", information about search engines designed especially for children such as "Ask Jeeves for Kids" and "Yahooligans," and links to dozens of other useful sites.
• GetNetwise.org from the Internet Education Foundation. Supported by Internet industry corporations and public interest groups, this website provides safety resources for families, links to useful articles discussing the issues in depth, and resources to help you as a parent become "netwise."
• The FBI's "A Parent's Guide to Internet Safety". The Federal Bureau of Investigation has produced a very helpful discussion of protecting your child from pornography, predators and other potential online dangers. Include it in your reading. It's available in English and Spanish.
• Safeteens.com offers Tips for Your Teenagers. Like Safekids.com, this website is a project of the Online Safety Project and contains resources that appeal to the interests and mindset of teens and their parents.