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1. Communicate with your kids. Even if youÂ've gone over the basic internet safetyrules before, go over them again. ItÂ's summer. Your kids have a lot of idle time ontheir hands and they may be feeling adventurous. Perhaps even adventurous enough toforget that something is against the rules. While youÂ're at it, make sure they knowthat the rules you set down apply not only to internet usage in your home, but inthe homes of friends and family as well. Get them to talk about their activities andthe people they encounter on the internet. Be sure to ask them specific questions.For example:  Do you have a dual profile. One for me (the parent) and one for yourfriends online? An open dialogue may reduce the need to spy on your own children.2. When in doubt, spy anyway! Computer usage is a privilege, not a right. Maybe yourkids are being upfront with you about what theyÂ're doing online. By the same token,maybe theyÂ're not. For the same reason a teenager may lie about parental supervisionat a party, he/she may lie about what they do online: they know itÂ's against therules or that you wouldnÂ't approve. ThereÂ's a very easy tool you can use to find outwhat your kids are doing online and (best of all) itÂ's free! ItÂ's called the browserhistory. In Internet Explorer 7, itÂ's accessible in a few simple clicks. Simplyclick the star on the toolbar, select  HistoryÂ', and pick the day. By default, itonly displays the browser history for the previous two weeks, but that can beadjusted by going into Internet Explorer and clicking Internet Options in the toolmenu. In the general tab, click  settingsÂ' in the browser history section. Here, youcan adjust how many days Internet Explorer saves the list of websites visited and(this is for all versions of IE) you can view an internet history that goes monthsback.3. Keep the computer in a central area, even the portable laptop. Kids are morelikely to censor themselves if they know Mom or Dad could walk in at any time.4. Remind your kids not to give out any personally identifying information. Thingsthey should never reveal include but are not limited to: their surname, the name oftheir school, their team name, their home address, and their favorite hangouts.5. Advise your children not to upload or post any photos of themselves without yourknowledge or approval.6. Instruct your child not to make any purchases on the internet without yourknowledge and approval, no matter what the cost or amount of money. 7. Tell your kids to trust their instincts. If a contact or encounter on theinternet makes them feel uncomfortable, it is more than OK ignore the person orclick away from the site entirely. Let them know they should tell you about itwithout fear of getting in trouble or having their computer privilege taken away.8. Turn on your parental controls to filter the content your kids view on theinternet. If you use Internet Explorer: Go to your internet options, select the contentÂ' tab and click  enableÂ' to open the content advisor and adjust thesettings. DonÂ't forget to set up a supervisor password in the general tab of thecontent supervisor.9. Sign an age appropriate computer user agreement or contract between you and yourchild specifying a code of conduct that he/she has to follow. If he or she breaksthe agreement, they get whatever discipline you outlined in the agreement you bothsigned.10. If all else fails, put a username and password on the computer so that theycanÂ't get on the computer at all unless you let them on. HereÂ's how you can do thison your computer: Start Menu/My Computer>control panel>User Accounts>Change anAccount>Select the account you want to change>Create a password.
The internet can be a source of information and entertainment for your child. Helpyour child have a fun, safe summer online.(Note: While Internet Explorer is the browser referred to in this article, similarinstructions are likely applicable in other web browsers as well. See your preferredweb browserÂ's help document for more information.)
About The Author
Shalayne Alexandria is the teen author of the Nyville High book series & blog,co-creator of the ShiShiDiva fashion accessories line and media content consultantfor fortune 500 companies interested in teen trends. AlexandriaÂ's fiction book,Nyville High No. 1: Welcome to Nyville! features a cautionary storyline aboutinternet safety for kids and teens. The book is available in paperback July 2007 . Please email for an interview today.
