The key to promoting your children's online safety is educating yourself.  There are things you can do to help your children enjoy all the benefits of the Internet without falling prey to the risks.

Children Feel Safe When They are Online

They know not to identify themselves by giving their name, address or age.  At the same time, they may inadvertently five clues that can lead to their identities.  They mention the name of the school or a friend, a local sports team or shopping mall, or community events.  Over time, someone could gather these clues, do a little research, and find out who these children are.

Also, some Internet service providers (ISPs) keep "member profiles" that are available to everyone who registers with their service.  These profiles may contain a great deal of identifying information.  Cyber-savvy kids know these profiles aren't mandatory, and many kids enter false information.

Don't Assume that Your Older Teen Requires No Supervision on the Internet

72% of the internet-related missing children cases known the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children involved children 15 or older.

Blocking and Filtering Programs May Help You Control Your Children's Access to Certain Kinds of Information

Blocking and filtering tools may help you control your children's access to many useful websites as well as undesirable ones.  Remember too, that your children probably use other computers - at school, in the library, at a friend's home, that may not be equipped with blocking or filtering tools.

Children Should Know that their Parents Will Help Them Find Solutions to Problems.  Remember that your children are growing in many ways and may take a wrong turn now and then.

By setting reasonable rules for computer and Internet use and talking with your children about your concerns and explanations, you should be able to trust that they are using the computer safely.