Best Practices for Parents

  1. Create rules for Internet use in the home.

    Set reasonable rules and guidelines for computer use by your children and post them near the computer as a reminder. Be sure that the rules are being followed by everyone in the household.

  2. Know what your kids are doing online.

    Check the Internet history to see which sites your child is visiting. Use filtering and monitoring software on your computer. Remember, it's your family, and you have the power and responsibility to keep an eye on what your kids are doing.

  3. Use the Internet with your kids.

    Spend time letting your kids show you what they do online. This can be a great learning experience for both of you. If your kids know something about the website or the Internet that you don’t, ask them.

  4. Don’t allow solitary surfing.

    Keep your computer in an open and public room and position the monitor so that it can be seen by anyone in the room. Do not allow your kids to have a computer with Internet access in their room.

  5. If you agree to let your child meet an online buddy in person, go with them.

    Be sure to meet in a public spot, and let the buddy know you will be accompanying your child. If the online buddy is against meeting this way, it’s a tip-off that you probably don’t want them meeting anyway.

  6. Don’t rely solely on technology as a substitute for you.

    Technology will never replace good parenting. It’s important that we talk to our kids about the dangers that they face online and help them to understand the safeguards that we put in place to protect them.

Online chat: More information about types of online chat rooms

But where do I begin? Click to find out the first steps you should take to keep your children safe.

www.netsmartz411.com is parents' and guardians' premier, online resource for answering questions about Internet safety, computers, and the Web.

You can also visit the FDLE's Missing Children Information Clearinghouse to receive information about missing children in Florida and to register to receive Amber Alerts.