Internet Safety Tips for your Children:

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1. Communication, communication, communication…talk with your children about the dangers of searching online and what to do when they encounter pornography, unsolicited emails or are threatened online.


2. Set clear rules about Internet use and post them on or near the computer.


3. NEVER give out any personal information, including their name, age, address, telephone number, school name or any family personal information in IM and chat room conversations, and newsgroups or online games.


4. If they join MySpace, they should enable the privacy mode and only allow friends they know to chat with them.


5. Choose an appropriate screen name and discuss the importance of not using their real name or creating an enticing screen name like ‘sexybetty' or ‘sweetmary'.


6. Never post photos or agree to meet with anyone they meet online.


7. Explain that people online oftentimes are not who they say they are and can entice them to provide personal information.


8. Never meet with people they meet online and talk about the dangers of doing so.


9. Know your child's screen name.


10. Tell them it's ok to talk to you if they receive unsolicited email or anything that makes them feel uncomfortable.


11. Tell them you will be checking in from time to time to see what they are doing on the computer.


12. If possible, keep the computer in a family room and pay attention if they close or change screens as you approach them; this is generally a sign they may be doing something inappropriate and don't want you to see.


13. Never open email from someone they don't know…the rule is to delete any unsolicited emails.


14. Discuss the dangers to them and their family if they download illegal music, photos, etc.


15. Know your child's online friends as you do their other friends.
16. Encourage your child to invite their friends to your house to play computer games.


17. Limit the amount of time your child spends on the computer.


18. Install child-monitoring/filtering software to monitor your child's online activities.


19. Remember any website with a social networking component could unwittingly play host to predators. Do not let your child surf unattended in a social networking website, even at a well-known or trusted site.

    Internet Service Provider (ISP) Tips:

• Ask what safety precautions and software your Internet Service provider (ISP) provides.


• Ask what parental controls they make available.


• Install or enable software to prevent pop-ups, virus, spyware protection, and time limits.


• Ask if they have chat rooms and, if so, whether they are monitored.


• Inquire about how to report suspicious or inappropriate online activity.

  Questions to ask your child's school:

• Is computer-monitoring software installed on all computers the children can use?


• Are pornographic sites blocked?


• How is children's activity on the computer monitored?