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The Internet has opened up a world of information for anyone with a computer and a connection! Your children will learn about computers. But just as you wouldn't send children near a busy road without some safety rules, you shouldn't send them on to the information superhighway without rules of the road. Too many dangers from pedophiles to con artists can reach children (and adults) through the Internet.

TELL YOUR CHILDREN

• To always let you know immediately if they find something scary or threatening on the internet.
• Never to give out their name, address, telephone number, password, school name. parent's name or any other personal information.
• Never to agree to meet face to with someone they've met online.
• Never to respond to messages that have bad words or seem scary or just weird.
• Never to, enter an area that charges for services without asking you first.
• Never send a picture of themselves to anyone without your permission.

GETTING STARTED

• Explain that although a person may be alone in a room using the computer, once logged on to the Internet, he or she is no longer alone. People skilled in using the Internet can find out who you are and where you are. They can even tap in to information on your computer.
• Set aside time to explore the Internet together. If your child has some computer experience, let him or her take the lead. Visit areas of the World Wide Web that have special sites for children.

CONTROLLING ACCESS

• The best tool a child has for screening material found on the internet is his or her brain. Teach children about exploitation, pornography, hate literature, excessive violence, and other issues that concern you, so they know how to respond when they see this material.
• Choose a commercial online service that offers parental control features. These features can block content that is not clearly marked as appropriate for children; chat rooms, bulletin boards, news groups, and discussion groups; or access to the Internet entirely.
• Purchase blocking software and design your own safety system. Different packages can block sites by name, search for unacceptable words and block access to sites containing those words, block entire categories of material, and prevent children from giving out personal information.
• Monitor your children when they're online and monitor the time they spend online. If a child becomes uneasy or defensive when you walk into the room or when you linger, this could be a sign that he or she is up to something unusual or even forbidden.

CYBER CONS
Internet fraud consists of scams that con artists have been using for years-only now they have a new medium and new victims to exploit. Here are some tips to help you navigate safely through cyberspace.

• Shop online only with companies you know. If you don't know a company, ask for a print catalog before you decide to order electronically.
• Use a secure browser that will encrypt or scramble purchase information. If you don't have Encryption software, consider calling the company's 800 number, faxing your order, or paying with check. Or, look for software that can be download ed from the Internet for free.
• Never give anyone your bank account number, social security number, or other personal information that isn't absolutely needed to complete a transaction.
• Never give out your Internet password. Your online provider will not ask for your password other than at first log-in. Change your password often and be creative!
• Make sure your children know to never give out their full name, address, or phone number. Pyramid schemes offering a chance to invest in an up-and-coming company with a guaranteed high return You invest and must ask others to do the same . But when the pyramid collapses, everyone losses-except the person at the top.

Top Scams on the Internet...

• Pyramid schemes offering a chance to invest in an up-and-coming company with a guaranteed high return You invest and must ask others to do the same. But when the pyramid collapses, everyone losses-except the person at the top.
• Internet-related services that are not delivered such as designing a Web Site. Equipment that isn't delivered or is a lower quality than promised.
• Business opportunities or franchises that are represented as more profitable than they really are.
• Work at home schemes where individuals need to invest money in start-up services but don't earn enough money to recover the initial investment.

SOFTWARE programs that parents might consider for helping keep children safe on the Internet.

This Internet filtering software has been rated #1 by leaders in the Internet industry and leading magazines. This program allows you to manage Internet access, limit the total time spent online and block access to Internet sites that you feel are inappropriate. You can also join the CyberNOT list, the most comprehensive list of inappropriate sites.

This program allows you to list sites you want prohibited, key words you wish to prohibit, and will also screen programs that are loaded onto your computer for such information. Net Nanny will check incoming email against your key word list. If the email has that keyword, the email will not open. Net Nanny is a password protected program. This means that you can allow full access to certain users and protected access to other users within your family. Net Nanny will also prevent personal information from begin given out under restricted passwords. Net Nanny also provides free lists of kid approved sites.

This program provides a list of over 10,000 objectionable sites with its software. You can add to and take from this list. This program is also password protected to allow different users different access. This program is less comprehensive than those above but does a good job of basic blocking.

Information from - Boerner, Inc., an official licensee of the National Crime Prevention Council. McGruff®, Scruff® and TAKE A BITE OUT OF CRIME® are registered trademarks of the National Crime Prevention Council. Boerner, Inc. has the right to distribute other McGruff® and Scruff licensed education al products from other licensees. Copyright© 1998 Boerner, Inc. All Rights Reserved.