The Top Ten Tips for Making Your Kid a Safe Online Surfer

With more kids than ever surfing the Internet, it's become increasingly important for parents to help their children learn about cyber safety. But how can parents teach the rules of Web safety without getting tangled up in high tech talk? No worries, we've culled the expert advice and cut through the terminology to come up with the top 10 ways parents can help create a safe online environment for their kids.

Cyber Safety Dos and Don'ts

1. DO EXPLORE SITES TOGETHER. The Web is a wonderful learning tool, plus an awesome place to have fun. Encourage your child to share favorite sites with you, learn how to make a craft together, or challenge each other to a brainbuster game.

2. DON'T TELL ANYONE YOUR PASSWORD. Let your kids know that the online service will never ask for their password and neither should anyone else. If someone does ask, make sure your kids know they must refuse to give it.

3. DO KEEP PRIVATE INFORMATION PRIVATE. Explain to kids that they should never give out their real name, address, phone number, or other personal stuff, to anyone they meet online or in a chat room.

4. DON'T EVER MEET ANY ONLINE "FRIENDS" IN PERSON. Sure, online "pals" may be funny and nice, but they could be acting. So, tell your kids the smart thing is to never make plans to meet anyone from the Web in person and to be sure and tell you about any "friend" they've made online.

5. FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE? DO LOG OFF! If someone writes something that makes your child feel sad, weird, or uncomfortable, they should log off and tell you immediately.

6. DON'T LET ANYONE "BUG" YOU! If your kids receive e-mail from strangers, tell them not to open it, just delete it. Explain that it could contain a virus that may destroy the computer, or it may be inappropriate material.

7. DO PRACTICE GOOD "NETIQUETTE." Teach your kids the proper way to interact with others on the Internet. For example, instruct them not to type in all capital letters because that means you're shouting. Kids also really like the fun phrases and symbols you can use on the Internet to communicate with others. Make sure they know the meaning of commonly used emoticons ;-) and phrases, such as BBFN (Bye-Bye for Now) and LOL (with meanings ranging from Laughing Out Loud to Lots of Luck to Lots of Love).

8. DO BE NICE. Explain to your children that they should treat people they meet online the same way they, themselves, want to be treated. This means they shouldn't be mean or rude; even if they disagree with someone, they can do it nicely.

9. DO BE PICKY ABOUT PICTURES. Kids should know that sending pictures of themselves, their family, or their home to friends and relatives is fine with mom or dad's OK, but such photos should never be shared with strangers.

10. DO TAKE AN ADVENTURE IN CYBER SAFETY. There are many sites designed to teach Web safety which you and your child can explore together. Our favorite is our very own Disney site, Surf Swell 2001: Adventures in Internet Safety, where Mickey, Minnie and the gang host games and quizzes geared to teach about online privacy, Netiquette, and computer viruses. Click to Surf Swell 2001.