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GUIDELINES FOR SAFE INTERNET SURFING

1. Establish Home Rules
   As a family, create simple, easy-to-read rules regarding Internet use.  Post these rules on or near the computer.

2. Create a Family Contract
   You and your kids may establish a family contract outlining your family's rules of acceptable Internet usage. If you do create such, don't be afraid to enforce it! 

3. Keep Computers in Public Rooms
   Keep your family-used computers in the family room, kitchen, or other open areas of your house. Don’t allow your children to use computers in other rooms without your knowledge.

4. Download Free Software
   Go to download.com and do extensive research.  You will find multiple options for blocking popups, spam, and spyware.  Choose the software that best fits your home situation and needs.  Most are free-of-charge.

5. Create “Parental” Passwords
   Internet accounts should be in your name, with you having the primary screen name, controlling passwords, and using blocking and/or filtering devices. Warn children to not complete a profile for a service provider.  Also urge them to only use nondescript screen names that don't identify them as minors.

6. Ask Lots of Questions
   Frequently ask your children to show you what they do online and visit with them their favorite sites and chat rooms. Limit chat room access to “child-friendly sites” only.  Make it a priority to know with whom your children are exchanging Emails and chatting—that’s your responsibility as a parent.

7. Select Child-Friendly Search Engines
   Select child-friendly search engines to assist your children in completing their homework. “Bookmark” these on the computer for ease of future use. 

8. Warn about Chat Rooms
   Talk with your children about never meeting a new online "friend" face-to-face.  Warn them of all the potential dangers! Be sure to spell out the specifics of allowed chat room behavior in your Family Contract.

9. Discuss Spam
   Explain to your children what Spam is and caution them to never respond to commercial Email. The primary way to protect your Email accounts from Spam is to refrain from responding to Spam. Whether you realize it or not, following a link and asking to opt out from future Emails confirms to "Spammers" that your Email address is active.

10. Don’t Respond to Unknown Attachments
    Internet viruses are often spread via Email attachments. Instruct your kids to be very cautious about opening attachments and to never open attachments from senders they don't know.

11. Watch  for Dangerous Emails
    Talk to your children about not responding to offensive or dangerous Emails, chat, or other communications. Report any such communication to your local law enforcement agency or to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s website at www.cybertipline.com.

12. Discuss Music Downloading
    If your children are music fans and enjoy accessing music online, be sure the get their music from legitimate sources and don’t share copyrighted materials illegally. Make them aware that using copyrighted materials without authorization can lead to prosecution and steep financial penalties. The Recording Industry Association of America has a Web site that provides additional information on penalties.