Protect Your Children Online

By taking these simple steps, you can reduce online threats to your children.

• Keep your computer in a central and open location in your home.
• Be aware of other computers your child may use at a friend’s home, the library, etc.
• Discuss and set rules for computer use. Post these rules by the computer as a reminder.
• Use the Internet with your children. Familiarize yourself with your children's online activities and talk with your child about what sites they visit.
• Implement parental control tools available from some service providers and for purchase as separate software packages. Remember no program is a substitute for parental supervision.
• Consider software that allows you to monitor your children's email and web traffic.
• Create a separate account for each family member and assign appropriate access. Most operating systems allow you to create multiple accounts. This can eliminate worries that your child may accidentally access, modify and/or delete your files.
• Know who your children's online friends are and supervise their chat areas.
• Teach your children never to give out personal information to people they meet online, such as in chat rooms or bulletin boards.
• Even though children may have better computer skills, don't be intimidated by their knowledge. Children need advice, guidance and protection. Encourage your child to ask you any question they may have about behaviors or problems they may encounter on the computer.