One of the best ways to ensure a meaningful online experience for children is to explore the Internet together to learn what your children do and see online. Spending time online with your children provides an opportunity to talk about what is and what is not appropriate online behavior.


Although parents may want to be online with children as much as possible, that may not always be realistic. That is why it is important for families to develop their own set of clear, understandable rules for the online environment. The CyberSavvy Family Pledge as a resource for creating a good set of rules for your family.


Parental control software can help parents supervise online activity even if you can't be with your children. Software packages offer the ability to:

· help keep children from sending out personal information online, such as their name, address or phone number;

  allow Internet access only to specific predetermined sites 

  allow Internet access only at certain times of day; and  provide a report of the places your children visit online.

Some companies that provide software or other services to help ensure a safe online experience are listed below.
Bess, The Internet Retriever Cybersitter SurfWatch
http://www.surfwatch com
206.971.1400 800.458.6600
Net Shepherd
http://www.netshepherd.c1om http://www.safesurf.com