Tools for kids

• Set the expectation that you will monitor your child's online activities, as the Internet is a public place.
• Create and post Internet guidelines that are discussed and reviewed regularly.
• Show your child how to use safe search engines (e.g. Yahooligans).
• Discuss the difference between public and private information. Personal information is private information, and shouldn't be shared on the Internet without parental permission.
• Teach your child the safety strategy: "If asked to share and your parents aren't aware – Shout No!" This encourages him/her to practice checking with parents before sharing personal information online. Review where s/he may be asked for personal information online.
• Teach your children to create passwords that others can't easily guess, and that contain a combination of numbers and letters (both upper- and lower-case).
• 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.
• Just as you would explain codes of conduct for offline activities, the same should be done for online activities.
• Ensure your child gets permission before chatting with other online gamers. Explain that the Internet isn't a place to make new friends. Talk about what is a healthy friendship and what is an unhealthy friendship.
• Tell your child not to open any email attachments if s/he doesn't know the sender.
• If your child comes across something or someone that makes him/her feel uncomfortable, explain that s/he can tell you without fear of losing computer privileges.