1.  If your child is more familiar with the Internet than you are, let them teach you about it. You will both enjoy the lesson!

2.  Keep the computer in a public area of the house, such as the family room.

3.  Don't ever allow a child to give out personal information online (for example, their real name, address, phone number, school, etc.)

4.  Don't allow a child to meet someone face-to-face that they met online.

5.  Periodically check the web sites your child is visiting and look at files they are storing.

6. Talk with your children about online safety and set up rules about where they can go online, how much time they can spend online, and what material they can and cannot view. Post the rules near the computer.

7. Use the parental controls available on the commercial online services. These services screen public content and provide online hosts to monitor chat rooms. Check into filtering software to screen out adult sites on the Web. Click here for more information.

8. Monitor online time. Be aware of excessive hours on the Internet.

9.  Check out any unfamiliar numbers on your phone bill.

10.  Support and encourage your child's safe use of the Internet, and participate in new learning experiences. Acquaint yourself with their online pals and email habits.