Create clear, simple, easy-to-read house rules and post near or on the monitor.

Investigate into safeguarding programs or options your online service provides. These may include monitoring or filtering capabilities.

Always read a web site's privacy policy before giving any personal information

Make sure that a web site offers a secure connection before giving credit-card information.

Talk to children about what personal information is and why you should never give it to people online.

Talk to children about never meeting in person with anyone they "met" online.

Keep the computer in the family room or another open area of your home.

Let children show you what they can do online, and visit their favorite sites.

Have children use child-friendly search engines when completing homework.

Know your children's e-mail contacts.

Allow children chat use under your supervision.

Be aware of all computers used by your child.

Internet accounts should be in the parent's name with parents having the primary screenname, controlling passwords, and using blocking and/or filtering devices.

Children should not complete a profile for a service provider.

Children's screennames need to be nondescript so your child can not be identified by his or her name.

Talk to children about what to do if they see something that makes them feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused. Show them how to turn off the monitor. Remind children to tell a trusted adult if they see something that bothers them online.