There's a lot of useful information on the Internet, but children can also be exposed to many dangers while online. Online bullying (cyber bullying) and online predators are two of these dangers.

Parents need to teach Internet safety to children as soon as they start using the computer. Just as we reinforce the safety rules of crossing the street long before we allow children to cross the street on their own. Together you and your children can make age appropriate Internet safety rules to be posted near the computer and reviewed regularly. Below are some tips for keeping children safe while online.

Helping Kids Stay Safe Online:

• Establish clear and reasonable computer rules together with your children and review regularly. Set consequences for breaking the rules and follow through.
• Supervise children’s time online.
• Place Internet connected computers in open areas of your house.
• Discuss the dangers of putting personal information and pictures online.
• Monitor the use of Instant Messaging (IM) with older children. Remove all unknown contacts from their list. Don't allow young children to use IM.
• Instruct them to tell you about disturbing or harassing emails, instant messages or text messages.
• Check out chat rooms with older children. Don't allow young children to use.
   Discuss the danger of predators on these sites.
• Regularly monitor what Internet sites they visit.
• Create a false email account to use for surveys and required registration fields.
•  Web Cams are great for staying in contact with relatives far away but they can be very dangerous if used by children and teens without supervision. Some police experts say not allow your kids to have a Web Cam at all!

Teach children to:

• Create a gender-neutral email address that does not have a sexual undertone.
• Only give out their email address to friends they know (not friends of friends).
• Check with you before posting anything online (pictures etc.)
• Tell you before filling out anything online that require personal information.
• Ask permission before downloading any files.
• Open and reply only to those emails sent from people they know.
• Tell you if they receive any message that makes them feel uncomfortable. Report disturbing messages to the police for follow up or to www.cybertip.ca.
• Remember that not everything online is true.
• Always be respectful when “talking” online.
• Notify you if someone online asks to set up a personal meeting.

Warning Signs that Children May be in Danger While Using
the Internet:

• Spends all of their time online, even losing sleep to do so.
• Quickly closes down a screen or shuts the computer off if you walk into the room.
• Is vague when confronted about online activities.
• Visits suspicious Internet sites.
• Uses someone else’s account to gain Internet access.
• Receives packages, letters, or gifts in the mail from someone you do not know.
• Makes long distance phone calls to numbers you do not recognize.
• Is withdrawn from other friends or family members and only wants to be with online friends.

Helpful Internet Safety Sites:

Cybertip - Canada’s National Tip Line site to report alarming or disturbing Internet messages (or call 1.800.The.Lost).
The Center for Safe and Responsible Internet Use - Provides research and outreach services to address issues of the safe and responsible use of the Internet.
Safe Kids  - Provides some good ground rules for kids to follow.
Netsmartz Workshop - Internet safety resource, in depth and effective interactive lessons that can be used in schools/home.
Cybersitter – An excellent program inexpensively purchased.  Allows parents to set time limits for Internet use. Features a log/tracking system. Topics and words can be blocked.
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children  - Site informs parents about online lingo and short forms that kids use when talking on the net.

References:
Wilson, Samantha. (2005). Safe Kids Safe Families. Toronto, HarperCollins Publishing  Ltd.
Wishart, Jocelyn. (2004). Internet Safety in Emerging Educational Contexts. Computers  & Education,
   43, 193-204.
Keiser, Barbie E. (2006). Beyond Eric: The Early Years: Part Two. Searcher, 14 (2), 8- 18.
Yan, Zheng. (2005). Age Differences in Children’s Understanding of the Complexity of  the Internet.
   Applied Developmental Psychology, 26, 385-396.
Retrieved and adapted from Kids Health, Internet Safety, April 2005, http:  
   kidshealth.org/parent/positive/family/net_safety.html.
Retrieved and adapted from Netsmartz: National Center for Missing & Exploited  Children and Boys &
   Girls Clubs of America, When Do I Start Teaching My  Child About Personal Safety, 2001-2006.