A New World:
Internet Tips for Parents

---

Even though parents are the first teachers of children, in many households children are introducing the Internet and cyberspace to their parents, instead of the other way around. The Internet can be a powerful educational tool. But in opening a whole new world for kids to explore, parts of the world they aren't ready to see may—with a click of a mouse—materialize before their eyes.

The Internet has tremendous potential—both the potential to educate and the potential for hazards. But you can take measures that allow your kids to take advantage of the wonders of the Internet while protecting them from its pitfalls. Kids can access pornography, obscene material, or otherwise undesirable information without even trying.

One way to prevent this from happening in your home is through software or online services that filter offensive material and Web sites. Protective software can be installed directly on your computer, and Internet service providers and commercial online services offer site blocking, restrictions on incoming e-mail, and children's accounts that access specific services, often at no additional cost. Even without blocking software, you can help your kids navigate safely by using the following strategies for safe surfing:

• Set boundaries. Make sure your kids know what you consider appropriate for them. What sites can they visit? What sites are off-limits? Are they allowed to make online purchases? Treating the Internet like a privilege may help kids follow the rules. When they break them, have consequences already in place.
• Involve the family. By keeping the computer in the family room or den, it is easier to monitor your children's online exploration without making them feel like they are being checked on.
• Don't be naive. For example, just because your child is playing a game, don't assume that the content is kid-friendly. Some games a child can download are excessively violent and may contain sexual content.
• Extend yourself. Don't assume your child is safe when using the Internet at school or the local library. Find out what the policies for Internet use are, see how they are enforced, and make sure your child understands them.
• Stay involved. If you opt for blocking software, don't rest easy once it is in place. Just as kids often have no trouble opening childproof packages and locks, they can sometimes easily outsmart blocks.

Like television, video games, and the telephone, the Internet—which involves elements of the three—is a privilege, and should be treated as such. When parents are informed about what their children are exposed to and involved in setting boundaries, kids come out ahead. Keep that in mind when your family uses the Internet, and you've taken the first step towards maximizing its potential and minimizing its risks.

A list of kid- and family-friendly sites, as well as ideas for using the Internet as an educational tool and more tips for smart navigation, can be found in the "Parents Guide to Internet," a resource guide from the United States Department of Education. You can check out the guide at http://www.ed.gov/pubs/parents/internet/ or by calling 1-800-USA-Learn.

This column by Samantha Morrisey is provided as a public service by the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory, a nonprofit institution working with schools and communities in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington.