Be careful when someone offers you something for nothing, such as gifts and money. Be very careful about any offers that involve your coming to a meeting or having someone visit your house.

Tell your parent or guardian right away if you come across any information that makes you feel uncomfortable.

Never arrange a face to face meeting without telling your parent or guardian. If your parent or guardian agree to the meeting, make sure that you meet in a public place and have a parent or guardian with you.

Remember that people online may not be who they seem. Because you can't see or even hear the person it would be easy for someone to misrepresent him- or herself. Thus, someone indicating that "she" is a "12-year-old-girl" could in reality be an older man.

Be sure that you are dealing with someone that you and your parents know and trust before giving out any personal information about yourself via E-mail.

Get to know your "online friends" just as you get to know all of your other friends.

Tips for Parents
Make sure that the computer in your home is in plain view at all times when your children are using it.

Talk to your children about what they are doing on the Internet.

Become more computer literate. In todays day and age the children are learning about computers and most parents barely know how to turn one on. Get to know your computer, even have your kids teach you a little, it will be time well spent with your kids.

Use blocking programs for Internet use such as CyberSitter, NetNanny or CyberPatrol. These programs are listed below and are an excellent way to make the Internet safer for your children.

Note:  Street proof your children on the internet the same way you street proof your children in your community.

Blocking Software



Cyber Patrol is used to manage Internet access, limit the total time spent online and restrict access to Internet sites that you deem inappropriate.



Net Nanny is a software program that allows YOU to monitor, screen and block access to anything residing on, or running in, out or through your PC, online or off.



Cyber Snoop places the emphasis on teaching responsible Internet usage through supervision and communication. Cyber Snoop is a tool that educates users to make positive choices when tapping the potential of Internet.


Internet Filter the ultimate in access control, monitoring, and data collection



CYBERsitter 97 gives the parent or other concerned individual the ability to limit their children's access to objectionable material on the Internet. Parents can choose to block, block and alert, or simply alert them when access is attempted to these areas.



NSI solutions are finding new homes all over the 'Net. Families and home users take advantage of Net Shepherd and the NSI Content Rating Service to filter access to inappropriate materials.


NOTE: Appearance of a product on this list does not constitute an endorsement