Whether you are new to the Internet or have been surfing for years, these are some hints that will help you set guidelines for your children and help you become more acquainted with the Internet environment.

1. First and foremost is to surf with your children. Although most children by the age of 5, 6 or 7 have learned from you or through school the ins and outs of the Internet, they still not only need, but crave that time with you. Plan a special time each day, or every other day, whatever is convenient and appropriate in your home, to sit down and spend some time with your child on the computer. Make it "your time". Free yourself of interruptions, and "learn" to see the computer through the eyes of your child. Find out their likes, dislikes, what their knowledge level is in surfing the Internet. All of these will be helpful in setting guidelines.

2. Consider the amout of time you would like your child to spend on the computer. Although I think there is a wealth of information and fun on the computer, there is still a world outside your children do not get on a computer. Do not let your computer become a "babysitter". Help your child find a balance. Just like you do not want your child watching television 5 or 6 hours a day, your computer should not be your child's new television. If you have guidelines on TV such as only 1 hour a day, only after homework is complete, use those as guidelines on your computer as well.

3. What areas is your child allowed to visit on the computer? If there are certain places that you have deemed as sites your child is allowed to visit, make them easily accessible to your child. I have a good reason for this and I would love for you to take a look at something I found on my computer.

4. Chatting. This is something I really feel strongly is inappropriate for children, and there are 2 main reasons for this. One being that you do not actually know that your child is talking to another 7 year old. Two, I think it is more likely that your child will be coerced into giving out private information. I know chatting is fun, I am guilty of it myself. I am also capable of making responsible decisions that do not put me in jeopardy of being exploited by others.

5. In that regard, make sure that your child completly understands what information they may and may not give out. I know that others suggest you and your child making up a "story" to tell others. I understand the reasoning, but I am not sure that your child will be able to make a distinction. If you have taught your child that lying is wrong since they could first walk, I am not sure that making an exception to the rule is such a good idea. Instead, be honest with your child and tell them why we do not give out this information.

6. Email. What a wonderful way to communicate quickly. And like your own personal mail you receive at home in the mailbox, what a wonderful way to be bombarded with mail you neither asked for or want. If your child uses email, make sure that all letters are read first by you, and that includes coming or going. Monitor everything that your child sees. Also, use the block functions on your email, including "spam" or junk mail and mail sent by people you do not know or have listed in your address book.

7. Does your child understand what to do if they find a site that is inappropriate or a person contacts them in a way that makes them uncomfortable? Make sure your child knows that coming to you is the first and best way to handle this type of situation. If they have found a site outside of guidelines you have set, explain the guidelines again, discuss the content of the site and why you feel it is inappropriate. Do mention the fact that they have not stayed within the guidelines, but do not make your child weary of coming to you again in the future. Testing limits is what childhood is all about, that is their job and oh how well they do it at times!

8. Explaining the dangers of the Internet can be about as difficult as that first "Where do babies come from?" question. As a parent, you know your child better than anyone else, and you should explain the Internet in the same age and maturity oriented manner as you did the baby question. Your goal is to make your child aware and able to understand the importance of the guidelines you set, not to scare them into nightmares of people coming to take them away. Try to think of it as the first time you taught your child to cross the street, looking both ways and listening. I am sure you told them the dangers of being hurt without the details of a catastrophic traffic accident.

9. If you decide to allow your child access to certain sites, make sure that you have not only checked the site thoroughly first, but that you have checked all the links off the site as well. Just like the example I showed in #3, inappropriate sites are easy to find, and in most cases are found innocently.

10. Please take time to make your child's or your family's home page a safe place. I have some tips on making your WebPage safe that you may not have considered. Set a good example for your child by starting with your own little piece of the Internet.

11. The last thing I want to add is this question: Where is your computer? Sound like a rediculous question? Not really. If you are going to make surfing a family activity, then your computer needs to be located in a family place. Tucked away in the bonus room or basement is probably not the best location. If your house is like mine, space is something you have little of, but your computer needs to be somewhere that you can monitor how long your child is on it and what they are doing.