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The safest place to put a computer with Internet Access is in a public room in your home such as: a den, living room, or kitchen instead of your child's bedroom. Contact your Internet Provider to find out what parental controls are available through the for you.

Signs to look out for:

Your child spends large amounts of time on-line, especially at night.

You are using the same computer as your child and are seeing strange pop-ups

Your child turns the computer monitor off or quickly changes the screen on the monitor when you come into the room

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These sites have a comprehensive safety section. Unfortunately, children seldom read or follow “boring” things like safety tips. The minimum age to join is supposed to be 14 but there is no real check in place. As with all services of this kind, people can misrepresent themselves. These Profiles may contain links to other sites that can contain anything. Many Pop-up ads are for: online dating and for previewing porno sites. When signing up children are asked for a picture of themselves, are asked their sexual orientation, are invited and encouraged to make comments about themselves. Some sites give examples such as: Jail Bait (which means I am underage), Too Sexy for My..., Hot Momma, Just looking for a good time.

Information posted on the Internet is accessible to anyone who wants it. Personal information and photographs can be used and misused by other people for dangerous and illegal purposes. Parents have successfully prosecuted (In Texas as well as other states) parents/legal guardians of children who have put their child's name and/or photograph on a website.

family contract When you talk with your child You may want to formalize your discussion by creating a family Internet policy that parents and children can sign and promise to follow.