The Internet has opened up a virtual world of information for anyone with a computer and an online connection. Children not only learn about computers, but are able to access more information from more sources more quickly than from any other medium. However, children need to learn the rules of the road, and learn how to protect themselves from the pedophiles, abusers, and con artists that may be lurking behind their screen. With a little bit of planning and appropriate adult supervision, children can explore and learn while minimizing, or eliminating the dangers of being abused or exploited.

Safety Tips

• Just like in a park or public place, a child's best defense is a sound value system and a plan. Teach your children about exploitation, pornography, hate literature, and violence. Teach them what to do when something they see is troubling or bothersome to them.
• Set aside time to explore the Internet together. That way, you can set the examples of how suspicious messages or people are appropriately handled, and you may be better informed yourself.
• Monitor your children when they are online. If your child becomes uneasy or defensive when you enter the room, it might mean that they are involved in something unusual or forbidden.
• Choose an Internet Provider that has parental control features, and learn how to use them. Or, you may purchase commercial blocking software to screen out sites by content and key words you find objectionable. Such blocking is very effective, and is already done by local libraries and schools.
• Tell children never to give out personal information, such as address, telephone number, or their parent's name. They should never send pictures of themselves to anyone they don't know or that you have not met in person.
• Assume nothing about anyone you or your child may meet online. Pedophiles and con artists can easily assume the online identity, language and apparent interests of a child of any age and sex in order to lure and entice them to respond as they might to a real person. Unless you have met someone in person, what appears to be a chatty 15-year- old girl might actually be a 45-year-old male pedophile.