Today's parents know that the web can be a very dangerous place.  All of those Dateline specials have had me really thinking about my own kids safety.  

Here's some tips on keeping your kids safe online - whether they are 6 or 16.

~ You hear it all the time, but put your computer in a family area of the home, where you spend a lot of time and can walk by to see what they are doing.

~ If you have teenagers, get a MySpace and Facebook account for yourself, if you don't already have one. Ask them to add you as a friend.  Visit their page to see who they are talking to and what they are doing.  Don't blow your stack about little stuff.  

~ Talk to your kids about online safety. Explain to them that people aren't always who they say there are. If they are old enough to understand, consider having them watch some of those Dateline specials with you.

~ Consider using internet safety software on computers that your children use. You can set up the software to block specific sites. You can even set some software up to track what's been done on the computer.

~ Set time limits for internet use and stick to them. Kids who spend far too much time on the computer are more likely to get into trouble. 

~ Keeping your kids safe online means teaching them about things to watch out for. Tell your kids not to give out their real name, and not to tell people where they live.  Ask them to let you know immediately if something happens online that doesn't seem right to them.  

~ If you aren't internet savvy yourself, now is the time to learn. Your kids will grow up with technology and they may already know more than you (my kids do!) It's worth your time to learn as much as you can so you can understand the risks that come with being online.

~ If your kids have a favorite game site, spend some time there to see what it's like and what they are doing. This way you can ask them questions and have a conversation about what they are doing.

Keeping your kids safe online is all about knowing what's going on, setting boundaries, and talking to your kids. If your gut tells you that something isn't right, look into it. You are probably right!  

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