Guidelines for appropriate Internet use for children:

• Ask your Internet provider about features which allow parents to block their children’s access to adult-oriented sites, chat rooms, and bulletin boards.

• Set up guidelines that deal specifically with meeting people on the Internet. Talk to your child about what to do if their new Internet friend asks to see them in person or wants your child to send a picture of him/herself.

• Establish rules to follow when using the Internet.

• Keep the computer in a high traffic part of the house so that you can monitor your children’s activities without appearing to be watching over their shoulders.

• Spend time on the Internet with your children. Give them a chance to show you what they have learned or the things that they like.

• Find websites you think your children will enjoy and “bookmark” them. This will reduce the chance of children using search engines.

• Teach your children about “netiquette” (etiquette on the Internet), so they will know how to behave appropriately and will be able to recognize inappropriate behavior on the part of others.