1.     Do not give out any personal information without your parents' permission.

2.     Tell your parents right away if you come across any information that makes you feel uncomfortable.

3.     Never get together with someone you "meet" online, unless your parents approve and attend the meeting with you.

4.     Never send a picture of yourself to anyone.

5.     Do not respond to any messages that are mean or make you feel uncomfortable.

6.     Talk with your parents about their rules for going online.

7.     Do not give your Internet password to anyone other than your parents.

8.     Be a good online citizen, and do not do anything that hurts other people or is against the law.

Keep the computer in a family room rather than the child's bedroom, and make sure that the screen is visible. Get to know their "online friends" just as you get to know all of their other friends.

Learn about your child's favorite online destinations. If you don't know how to log on, get your child to show you. Spend time with your children online.

Set reasonable rules and guidelines for computer use by your children. Post the rules near the computer, and monitor their use of the computer.

 Keep lines of communication open. Encourage your children to tell you if they encounter anything inappropriate online, or if they find themselves in an uncomfortable situation.

Become familiar with Internet monitoring and blocking software. If you choose to use it, do not rely entirely on the software to help your child avoid inappropriate sites. Be aware of the monitoring policies in locations where your child is not under your supervision: the library, school, a friend's house, church.

Remember that people online may not be who they seem.

Never give out identifying information in a public message such as chat or bulletin

boards. Think carefully before revealing personal information in e-mail, online surveys, etc.

Remember that everything you read online may not be true. Any offer that's "too good to be true" probably is.

Never allow a child to arrange a face-to-face meeting with another computer user without parental permission. If a meeting is arranged, make the first one in a public spot, and accompany your child.

Never respond to messages or bulletin board items that are suggestive, obscene, belligerent, threatening, or make you feel uncomfortable. Encourage your children to tell you if they encounter such messages. If you or your child receives such a message, forward it to your Internet service provider.

1.     Keep your identity private.

2.     Never get together with someone you "meet" online.

3.     Never respond to e-mail, chat comments, or newsgroup messages that are hostile, belligerent, inappropriate, or in any way make you feel uncomfortable.

4.     Talk with your parents about their expectations and ground rules for going online.

1.     Talk with your teens about what they can and cannot do online.

2.     Be open with your teens and encourage them to come to you if they encounter a problem online.

3.     Learn everything you can about the Internet.

4.     Check out blocking, filtering, and ratings.