Instant Messaging (IM)

How can I make it safer?

Set the expectation that you will monitor your child's online activities, as the Internet is a public place.
Ensure that your child's Instant Messaging (IM) program is setup so that no one can speak to her/him without permission.
Know your child's login information and email addresses. What username or character names has your child given her/himself? Does it provide identifying characteristics about her/him or her/his hobbies (e.g. shygirl, bookworm, etc.)?
Review your child's IM logs. Pay attention to the nature of the conversations, and the tone of their social interactions.
Monitor your child’s webcam use and any posting or exchanging of pictures online. Check your child's files in "My Pictures" to see what images are being sent, received, and saved by your child.

Explain to your child that pictures should not be sent or posted online without parental permission. Once sent, control over what happens to the picture is lost.
Reinforce the idea that not everyone is who they say they are online. People can pretend to be older or younger than they actually are.
Explain to your child that s/he should trust her/his instincts and block someone if they ask questions online that seem 'weird' (i.e. questions about puberty, sex, etc.).
Talk to your child about friendship: what it is and isn't.
Explain to your child that online chatting needs to be adult-supervised.
Explain to your child that it's illegal to threaten someone, and that s/he should tell a safe adult if threatened online.
Teach your child about adding friends only if s/he has already met them in person (i.e. exchanged email addresses over the phone or in person with friends).
If your child comes across something or someone that makes her/him feel uncomfortable, even if it seems to be coming from friends, explain that s/he can tell you without fear of losing computer privileges.