• Always make sure that a parent is with you when you use the Internet.
• DON'T TYPE IN CAPITAL LETTERS UNLESS YOU WANT TO SHOUT AT SOMEONE!
• Be succinct-keep your messages clear and short.
• Use the subject line as the reader's guide to what the message is about, then they'll want to read your e-mail (try not to use "stuff" and "Message" in the subject line)
• Because the computer doesn't show emotions the way we do, use "emoticons" to express your feeling in your message.

• Remember, there's never any reason for bad behavior, not in real life or on the Net.
• Treat others as you would like to be treated and everyone will get along fine, online and off.

There are bad people who want to take your money or possibly hurt other people everywhere, including the World Wide Web.

For example, consider the following questions.

What are some things you do if you think someone is acting strange or makes you uncomfortable? What if someone is walking toward you on the street? Talking to you in the store? Talking with you after school? Calling your house and asking you questions? Looking at you too much? Asking for money? Asking for your address or phone number? What are some of the things that you might do to be safe?

Well, we can use some of those ideas when we're on the WEB, such as:

• Never give important information over the Internet such as name, address, telephone number, account or credit card information.
• Cross the street/get out of the chat room or off the Web page.
• Ignore the offender.
• Find the nearest parent or adult who you know and can trust.
• Find a safe place like home, a friend's house, or school.
• Don't answer.

It's not difficult to protect yourself and your family. Now that you know that there is danger, you can use the following techniques:

• Set family and school rules for Internet use
• Teach responsible use of the computer and the Internet
• Manage, supervise, and/or control access to the Internet
• Utilize available filtering and blocking software

Software is available to filter or block certain e-mail addresses from being accessed by a computer such as Net Nanny, CyberPatrol, and others.

ALWAYS follow these rules while on the Internet:

• Don't give out any personal contact information (telephone number, home address, etc. without our permission)
• Do not agree to meet in person with someone you meet online without our permission.
• Let us know as soon as possible if you receive a message that is inappropriate or makes you feel uncomfortable.

Things you can do on the Net:

• Homework or research
• Meet and communicate with friends and keypals
• Have fun :-) !!!

Things you can't do on the Net:

• Be impolite or inconsiderate to other people.
• Access inappropriate material of a sexual or obscene nature.
• Use inappropriate language.
• Post personal contact information without our approval (including pictures).
• Plagerize or copy someone's online work without giving credit.
• Download files without parental permission.
• Deliberately attempt to disrupt someone's computer system or spread viruses.
• Any other illegal online activity of any kind (for example: purchasing alcohol or drugs online, threatening someone, etc.).

Set time limits on your online time.

It's truely exciting to be able to access the information available on the Internet, but too much time behind the screen can be dangerous and costly. Try to balance your time on the Net with other activities such as sports and reading. If necessary, use a schedule so that everyone gets a chance to go online.

BREAKING THE RULES :-(

Breaking Internet rules results in the suspension of Net privileges for a period to be determined by a responsible parent. Consistant disobedience may end in removal of the computer.

These rules are meant to govern the use of our computer and our use of the Internet. They have been put into place in order to make the Net a place where we can surf and have fun and learn without danger to any member of our family.

I, ________________________________, have read the Family Internet Rules and promise to obey them. I promise that:

DON'Ts

• I will not give out personal information.
• I will not meet with someone in person without checking with you first.
• I will not access inappropriate material.
• I will not download files without your permission, nor plagerize other people's work online.
• I will not intefere with other people's computer work.

DOs

• I will act in a responsible and polite manner when online.
• I will treat other people online with respect.
• I will watch my time on the Internet.
• I will inform you should I accidentally come across a message or site that is inappropriate or makes me feel incomfortable.
• I will use my common sense.
• I will keep you informed of my activity on the Internet and come to you if I need assistance or have questions. If I break any rules, I promise to abide by any penalty you assign me.

I (we), ___________________________________________, promise as your parent(s) to be available to respond to questions you may have regarding the Internet. I also promise to trust your judgment as long as you obey the rules, and I will be available should you have a problem or question about any material you may encounter. I will also try to make sure you get ample time to use the computer.

If I break any of these rules, I have to do something special for the entire family.

_____________________________________________________________
Child's signature/date

_____________________________________________________________
Parent's signature/date

• Communication over the Net in any form is never a completely private affair, nor is it secure. Think of it more like writing on the back of a postcard, not sealed in a letter.
• If you are harrassed by e-mail, send the e-mail address of the offender to his/her Internet Service Provider. You can usually reach ISP by sending the message to postmaster@<e-mail address>
• Companies do track websurfers habits in order to better their marketing approach; less commercial sites are less likely to track use.
• Remember, you can always turn off your computer.

The Internet computer is a family machine and not a toy. Parents have the final say about who uses the computer and when they use it. If one family member develops a passion for the computer, that member may be encouraged to save up and buy their own computer. Regardless of what computer a child is using, parents should be alert and involved with Internet activities and should monitor activities and length of time on the computer.

Make sure you are there to supervise preteen children. Set up the computer in a place where you can easily see the screen. Set up times when you can be there with your child and even sit in front of the computer with them... you may learn something new too!

Using software to augment your personal supervision can be a good idea, especially when the kids using the Internet are older or supervision is difficult. Software can be installed to block specific sites which you decide are inappropriate. The software usually comes with a list of sites which are inappropriate and some even continually update their lists of new inappropriate sites. When buying blocking software, make sure that your InterNet provider and the software are compatible.