Parents' Guide To Children and The Internet

1. 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 placing the computer in a family area of your home and not in a child's bedroom. If children have their own computers, agree on the need for your oversight and how that will work.
2. 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.
3. Talk with your child about how they use the Internet. 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. Listen and learn, discuss what is appropriate, but avoid being angry or accusatory when discussing activities you disapprove of.
4. Agree on rules for using the Internet. Make a list together, then post them on the computer for ready reference.
5. Discuss how to use 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.
• Individuals you meet online in chat rooms or forums may not be who they say they are. 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. Discuss with your children the reasons why this precaution is important.

• 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" and "Family Contract for Online Safety".
• GetNetwise.org from the Internet Education Foundation
  Supported by Internet industry corporations and public interest groups, this web site 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 on 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 web site is a project of the Online Safety Project and contains resources that appeal to the interests and mindset of teens and their parents.
• NetSmartz Workshop
  This site provides an entertaining resource for children and teens ages 5-17, parents, and teachers on how to stay safe on the Internet. It was produced by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children in conjunction with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

• Space Place
  This NASA site has games, animations, projects and fun facts about Earth, space, and technology.
• NASA for Kids
  This site has space related games, stories, and activities, plus links to other NASA sites.
• Play Kids Games.com
  This site has Alphabet, Math, Vocabulary, Memory and Geography & puzzle sections. Advertising is clearly marked. Its privacy policy seems good.
• FirstGov for Kids
  Grouped by subject, this web site provides links to the good web sites for children offered by U.S. government agencies, other organizations, and some commercial sites.
• Great Web Sites for Kids
  This web site from the American Library Association (ALA) provides annotated links to numerous web sites for kids, including the appropriate age group for the site. Categories include: animals, the arts, history & biography, literature & languages, mathematics & computers, sciences, and social sciences. The reference desk contains links to library & school sites and reference sites. It includes sites for parents, caregivers, teachers & others. It also has a web site of the month. The selection criteria is provided.
• Puzzlemaker and Brain Boosters
  These sites are from DiscoverySchool.com. Create your own puzzle with Puzzlemaker. Puzzles include word search, criss-cross, number blocks, cryptograms, and more. Brain Booster provides challenges in various areas: categorization, lateral thinking, logic, number and math play, reasoning, spatial awareness, and word and letter play.