Your child's online safety begins with vigilant monitoring and setting rules about surfing the web at home or anywhere your child has access to the Internet.

1. Keep the computer in a common location for easy monitoring NOT in child's bedroom.

2. NEVER REVEAL personal, identifying information, and explain why.

3. ENCOURAGE discussions/keep communication open.
    Talk with your children about what sites they visit.

4. DO NOT SEND or upload/post pictures on the Internet.
    Discuss once a picture has been posted it can NEVER be fully recovered.

5. NEVER arrange a face to face meeting.
    Remind them they can never be 100% sure the person they have been talking to online is
    who they say they are.

6. SET LIMITS on computer use (i.e. time limits)
    Set time limits on how long your child is online, and restrict night time use.

7. MONITOR computer use (and equipment: scanners, digital cameras, web cameras, cell
    phones) Monitor any equipment used to put images on the computer.

8. UTILIZE Internet Service Provider's Parental controls, filters
    There are some great programs available to you through your service.

9. TELL children not to respond to any threats, harassment or offensive comments they receive
    on-line, leave a website immediately and advise you of it.

10. LEARN who is on your child's buddy list, and know your child's screen names, user
      names and passwords.

11. STRESS that nothing could be posted that can negatively impact your child's reputation. 
      Employers and colleges are doing internet searches of applicants' online activities.

12. LEARN as much as you can about being on-line, and keep up with current information!