1. Parents & the Internet Supporting parents to safeguard their children in the use of the Internet

2. Location, Location, Location Where is your Computer?  Locate your computer in a centralized area of your home.  Kitchen, Living room….  Discuss the use of the computer.  Make the child aware of the intended use of your home computer  Determine how much time is needed to be on the computer/Internet.  Monitor their use.

3. Dangers excerpt taken from Family Internet  Predators The biggest danger by-far is the possibility of predators targeting your children while they are online. Predators sometimes pose as children and will be-friend your child. They attempt to gain your child's confidence and will instruct them to be secretive about the relationship. A young impressionable child is almost no match against these devious people.  Pornography Another danger is that your child may accidentally run into pornography. There are many very graphic images on the Internet that are readily available and easily found. Also there are messages of hate that are readily available.  Financial Theft Passwords to your Internet service provider and passwords to user accounts on Websites are like keys to your house and blank checks.  Information About You Did you know that will just a couple of bits of information someone can search and obtain your full name, address, telephone number and directions to your house?

4. How do I know where they have been?  If you use Internet Explorer or Netscape you can view your browser's history and adjust how many days are kept in the history.  Here are instructions to view the history, adjust the number of days kept in history, and clear the history. For Internet Explorer To view the history: There is a history button on the top, or you can click on "View" then "Explorer Bar" then "History" To adjust the number of days kept in the history: Click on "View" then "Internet Options" then use the up or down arrow in the history section to adjust the number of days. To clear history: Click on "View" then "Internet Options" then click on "Clear History" button in the history section.  If you use a different version browser or a different browser altogether, use the help option to find out if history is available and how to access it.  If your child has started clearing the history file, this should send a signal to start monitoring more closely. There are monitoring programs available that you can install.

5. Monitoring Tools  eBlaster - eBlaster works without the knowledge of the user and reports are emailed to you, so you don't have to access the computer.  Child Safe - Child Safe monitoring program emails logs to you and even will limit access.  Parent Tools for AIM - The best solution if you want to limit and/or monitor AIM (AOL Instant Messenger). It not only records conversations but it also includes the ability to limit dangerous features on AIM and set up a schedule for when they are allowed to chat  Spector - Spector works without the knowledge of the user but you have to go to that computer and check the reports.  SentryPC - SentryPC is a program with many features including monitoring. You can “Google” Monitoring software children's safety, and determine which software best serves your needs.

6. Filtering Tools Top filtering tools NetNanny CYBERsitter ContentProtect http://internet-filter-review.toptenreviews.com http://www.software4parents.com

7. Internet Service Providers  Contact your service provider to have them explain what they offer in regards to parent controls. You may be surprised what they offer for free. AOL, Eartlink & Roadrunner  Shop around!  Stressing the obvious -- no system of parental controls, monitoring, or filtering software, no matter how advanced or sophisticated, can replace live parental supervision. Your children's safety is ultimately your responsibility; parental controls can help, but don't rely on them.

8. Links  www.Wiredkids.org www.Wiredkids.org  www.netsmartzkids.org www.netsmartzkids.org  National Center for Missing & Exploited Children www.missingkids.com www.missingkids.com  www.safeteens.com – for both parents and teens www.safeteens.com  www.SafeKids.com - advice on keeping younger kids safe online www.SafeKids.com  familyinternet.about.com – Family Internet familyinternet.about.com  www.NetFamilyNews.com - kid-tech news for parents www.NetFamilyNews.com  www.FamilyTechTalk.com - news you can listen to www.FamilyTechTalk.com  www.StaySafe.org - the latest online safety and PC security resources www.StaySafe.org  www.PCanswer.com - everything you need to know from computers to internet www.PCanswer.com  If you're using MySpace or any other blogging service, you need to check out BlogSafety.com BlogSafety.com  www.getnetwise.org - advice on keeping kids safe online www.getnetwise.org