For Parents

• Keep the computer in a common area, such as the family or living room. This helps you monitor your child's computer use.
  
  
• Spend time with your child online, and talk to them about their Internet use. Ask to see their profile page(s). Many children have more than one profile. Google your child's name.
  
  
• Know your child's screen names and passwords. Ask your child to add you as a "friend" on his/her profile page.
  
  
• Limit the information allowed in online profiles and make sure profiles are set to private.
  
  
• Control access to chat rooms and Instant Messaging. Monitor the sites they are visiting by clicking the internet browser's History button.
  
  
• Teach children the grooming techniques used by sexual predators - S.I.T.S.
  
  
• Teach children to avoid risky behavior, such as maintaining buddy lists that include strangers, flirting or discussing sex online with people they do not know in person, posting sexually suggestive material or being rude or mean to someone online.
  
  
• Teach children to Stop, Block, and Tell if they are bullied or made to feel uncomfortable online.
  
  
• Remind children that computer use is not confidential.
  
  
• Keep the lines of communication open.
  
  
• Make agreements about computer use, such as:
  • sites they are allowed to visit
  • length of time they can be online
  • basic safety rules

Here are basic safety rules you should include in your agreement:

• Never give out personal information (name, age, address, phone) or use a credit card online without permission.
• Never share passwords with anyone, including friends.
• Never arrange to meet in person someone they met online unless you agree and go with them.
• Never reply to a bully or any other uncomfortable messages they receive online.

Agree upon the consequences for not following the rules or breaking the agreement. If can be helpful to write down the rules and agreements in the form of a contract.

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Teach Children About Internet Dangers

• Online information is not private. Pictures or information shared online can be seen or used by anyone. As a result your child may become the victim of a cyberbully or idenify thief. Future employeers, college admission officers and coaches use the Internet to find out what kind of person they are hiring or recruiting. By posting inappropriate material, your child may be embarrased or suffer lost opportunities.
  
  
• People online may not be who they say they are. Another child or an adult may pose as someone else to bully or harass your child. An online sex offender may pose as your child's friend. Sexual predators often seek to earn a child's trust by showing interest and listening to their problems. They especially prey on the unfulfilled emotional needs of children craving attention.

• Many Internet sites host pornographic materials. Children may come across these sites by accident. Some sites deliberately lure children by linking pornographic site to character names such as Pokeman.
  
  
• Information children read online may or may not be true. Not all Web sites are to be trusted.