When your child wants to go over to a new friend’s house, you probably ask questions. Who else is going? Will the parents be home? We should be having the same discussion with our kids about their Internet use. Which websites are okay to visit? What kind of information is acceptable – and more importantly what is not – to share online? To make online safety a family effort, use a mix of guidance and monitoring with your children. Negotiate clear guidelines for web and online game use that fit your kids’ maturity and your family’s values. Pay attention to what your kids do and who they meet online.
Below are some resources and materials to help you start the discussion: