Keeping an open line of communication between you and your children is key to helping them stay safe online.

• Help your children feel comfortable coming to you if something makes them uncomfortable or scared.
• Talk honestly about Internet dangers.
• Make sure children understand what personal information is and why they should guard it.
• Share your online activities with one another.
• Agree on clear, simple rules for technology use that apply no matter where you are.
• Identify what websites are okay and when they can and can't be visited.
• Talk about what is and isn't appropriate online behavior.

Conversation Starters

• 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.
  
  
• Communicating with Teens
  Teens need support as well as independence. This site from Child Mind Institute offers tips for striking a good balance when you communicate with your teen.
  
  

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.