Children's Internet Safety

1) Parents must know what their children are doing online.
2) Teach children to stay safe on the Internet and to avoid illegal, unethical, and inappropriate web activity.
3) Regarding e-mail and instant-messenger, parents should hold the master screen-name for all accounts, should know their children's screen names, and should be aware of who is on their buddy lists.
 

Instant Messenger Help Sheet for Parents

Understand instant-messaging and the dangers of "Social Networking Sites" like MySpace.

Read guidelines for online safety.

Consider internet filtering software to block inappropriate content.

Establish rules for Internet use.

Norwood's Acceptable Use Policy.

Puzzled about Internet Safety? - February 27, 2008 Internet Safety Presentation - (PPT Version)

Web Sites:

Get Net Wise contains excellent resources to help parents and children learn about Internet safety. What are the Risks? - describes the potential threats which children face by using the Internet. GetNetWise also has links to sample contracts for Internet use (between parent and child), links to filtering products, and more.

NetSmartz has a list of important guidelines for children using the internet. The site also contains links to many other resources including online activities that teach Internet skills.

CyberAngels is has many resources for kids and parents.

Online Bullying - a September '03 article from the Washington Post.

FBI Site - “A Parent’s Guide to Internet Safety”. The FBI's official statements, warnings, and policy regarding children's safety on the internet.

Surf Swell Island is an online learning activity from Disney.com which uses a cartoon interface to teach children about internet safety issues.

SafeKids has links to resources about Internet safety.

Safe & Smart Report "Most parents and children alike view the Internet as a positive force in children's lives... and a powerful tool for learning and communicating..." 
 

Books:

This is an excellent book about children's safety on the internet, which details all of the potential risks and how to avoid them. Here is a link to amazon.com to purchase this book:

Amazon.com - The Parents Guide to Protecting Your Children in Cyberspace.