Web Security 101:

A parents' guide to Internet safety

by Lori Telles

The Internet has not only radically transformed the experience of childhood, it has also changed the way we parent. TV and phone time used to be the most contentious issues parents had to contend with when it came to technology in the home; add Facebook, instant messaging and the endless frontier of the Web, and parenting starts to get pretty complicated.

The good news is that you don't have to be a technology expert to protect your kids from online threats. Here are some basic Internet safety tips that any computer-equipped parent can follow.

Communication

Talk with your kids about their Internet use and demonstrate that you are actively involved in their online activities-just as you would their other hobbies, sports or entertainment.

Ask your kids about their online friends and discuss these relationships with them. Know who your kids are socializing with online, just as you would ask about their friends at school.

Set the Rules

Make using the computer a family activity by keeping it in a public area, such as the office or kitchen, rather than in your child's bedroom. That way you can more easily monitor the amount of time your child spends online as well as the Web sites she visits-without snooping.Together, with your kids, create the house rules for Web use that cover these key elements:

-When and how much time they are allowed to spend online.

-Which sites they can visit and which sites are off limits.

-At what age they can begin to use chat rooms, instant messaging and social networking sites, and then define the rules for using each.

-What to do if they meet someone online or view something that makes them feel uncomfortable.

Print the house rules and keep them in a visible place by the family computer. Review and update the rules as your kids get older and earn more responsibility.

Safety First

Once they're old enough to start using instant messaging and social networking sites, your kids will need even more specific guidelines for basic Internet safety. Here are some basic rules to follow:

-Don't share personal information with anyone online. Never give out your last name, address, phone numbers or other personal information.

-Remind your kids to be smart about where they post personal photos because they can reveal a lot.

School and sports logos and local landmarks within photos can make a child easily findable and should not be posted on public sites.

-Don't talk to strangers! This old rule is even more important online where anyone can take on a false identity.

-Use strong passwords and don't share them with friends. Ask to know your child's passwords if it makes you feel more comfortable.

Set a Good Example

Educating yourself about the most popular networking sites and technologies is one important way of keeping your kids safe online.

Familiarize yourself with social networking sites (MySpace, Facebook and similar sites), their age requirements and "report abuse" features.

There are also some simple things you can do to safeguard your home computer from unwanted content:

-Configure your instant messaging program so you can't receive files from other users.

-Research parental controls and other filtering services. There are many free ways to protect your kids from explicit or dangerous content.

-Teach your kids about file sharing and the risks of downloading files from unknown Web sites. Encourage your child to check with a parent first before downloading files or programs and before opening an email attachment from an unknown sender.

Lori Telles writes a popular blog, Techymama.com: The Mom's Guide to Technology, offering advice and tips to moms facing the challenge of parenting in the digital age.