Information Sharing

• Important Internet safety tips include never revealing your personal information or description of yourself. However, mentioning schools, extra-curricular activities, group memberships or school team victories and losses should also be avoided. Even conversations about the weather lets others know the general area where your children live. For instance, if your son is in a chat room and talks about the win his Warriors basketball team had in Massillon, a predator can determine which school your kid attends. A simple chat about the Girl Scout canoe trip being canceled due to tornado warnings helps the stalker narrow down an area in which the child may live.
  
  

Recognizing Warning Signs

• Teach your kids to recognize the warning signs of a predator seeking information. Leading questions or guiding a conversation to a personal level means it is time to log out of the chat room or forum. Teach the kids how to block users and set profiles to private. Even sites devoted to children can't verify that all users are children. Explain that stopping mid-chat is not rude when the conversation raises red flags or makes the kids feel uncomfortable.
  
  

Safe Surfing

• The Internet control settings on your computer let you block specific websites and filter unwanted words. Microsoft offers family safety software that determines if the websites your kids access are kid-friendly and safe. The company researched thousands of sites and rated the content for users. You can set the access for each user of your computer. You may also use a family-safe Web browser that keeps unwanted sites and material from showing up when your kids are surfing the Web.
  
  

Computer History and Contact List

• The best tool you have for keeping your kids safe on the Internet is you. However, you can't always watch every site and chat. Check your computer history and block sites you feel inappropriate. Periodically review your child's contact list in his email account and instant messenger programs. Delete contacts you do not know or are not on a face-to-face relationship basis with your kids. Predators troll the Internet looking for easy prey. Educate kids about adding people just to build a large friends list.
  
  

Handheld and Other Devices

• Internet safety doesn't stop with the computer. Cell phones, iPads, game systems and certain MP3 players have Internet access. Not every device has browser settings to ensure a safe session. However, manufacturers like Blue Coat offer a downloadable program which offers protection for some Apple electronic products. The program installs a family-safe browser on the phone or other device to keep your kids safe from inappropriate websites.