These family-tested strategies help children learn appropriate Internet behavior.
Spend Time Together Online
Explore cyberspace to learn what your children can do and see online. Identify some Web sites as personal favorites, so children can access them easily. Check with your online service provider for details.
Establish Rules for Online Behavior
Set some clear, easy-to-follow rules for using the Internet.
Click here for a list of Internet Dos and Don'ts.
Click here to see The CyberSavvy Family Pledge.
Completing a CyberSavvy Family Pledge will help you create a set of rules for your family to follow online. A clever idea: The more you and your children use the Internet, the more comfortable you will be setting rules. Make a schedule for reviewing, and perhaps updating, your CyberSavvy Family Pledge.
Explore Parental Control Choices
Parental controls are systems that let you decide which Web sites your children can visit, what information they can send or receive or what times they use the Internet. Some programs also provide a report so parents can know what places their children visit on the Web.
Internet access providers, such as America Online or CompuServe, also provide parental controls for their online areas. In addition, there are automatic settings that limit access to selected Internet sites.
In addition to the parental controls offered by online providers, there are several software packages that allow you to decide what Web sites your children can contact and how they can use the Internet. These programs are inexpensive and easy to install. Click here for details on Parental Control Software.
