Communicate
- Talk openly and honestly about the dangers on the Internet.
- Make sure they know why they should not give out personal information.
- Ask them about and have them show you their online activities.
- Help them to feel comfortable about coming to you if something make them feel uncomfortable or scared.
Conversation Starters
"Keeping kids safe online isn't about technology; it's about parenting."
- Larry Magid & Anne Collier (2007), MySpace Unraveled
- Larry Magid & Anne Collier (2007), MySpace Unraveled
- Our family has rules about going online, they are...
- How big is the Internet? What happens to the information you put online?
- Have you ever seen or read anything online that makes you feel uncomfortable? It's okay to talk to me about that.
- Do you know how to get out of a situation that makes you uncomfortable? Close the program and talk with me. I won't get mad - together we can keep you safe.
Communication Tips
- FTC - Kids Online
Resources on online safety, advertising literacy, identity theft and scams.
- Communication Tips for Parents
Tips from Family Education.
- Talking to Tweens
Why Middlers are Different from Family Education.
- Communicating with Teens
Tips for Communicating with teens from Family Education.
Safety Pledges, Rules of the Roads and Parent Child Contracts
- K-3 NetSafe Pledge (PDF) | Word
- 4-6 NetSafe Pledge (PDF) | Word
- 7-12 NetSafe Pledge (PDF) | Word
- Family Contract for Online Safety
Parents and kids should agree on the "Rules" for internet use. Here are two pledges that both kids and parents can take.
Know the Lingo
- Online Lingo/Acronym
View a list of commonly used Acronyms used by kids in text messeging, instant Messenger (IM) and chat rooms.