Parents need to become more aware of what is going on with their children all the time. Just like you would keep your children safe from molesters, kidnappers and the list goes on, you also need to keep your children safe online because these people know that it is becoming increasingly easier for them to catch your children online than ever before. The problem is very simple, parents are just not well equipped enough to know that how to keep their children safe online and that is why you will find a few suggestions below. Read it, remember it and make use of it. Your children depend on it!

Keeping children safe online means teaching them to be smart, responsible users of the Internet. Click on an age group to see tips from WiredSafety.org’s Parry Aftab.

Teach your children to:

# Think before they click: With whom are they chatting or e-mailing, what are they saying and how are they saying it? Will the person on the other end know they are joking?
# Walk away from the computer and “Take 5” before responding to something that upsets them online
# Avoid spreading rumors, assisting in cyberbullying or sharing private communications online.
# Follow the golden rule of cyberspace: Don’t do anything online that you wouldn’t do in real life!

Follow responsible safety practices yourself:
# Install spyware and adware blocking software on your computer
# Make sure you have a working firewall
# Install anti-virus software and update it regularly
# Take advantage of spam-blocking tools offered by your Internet provider or e-mail software

Now that you know a little bit more take into consideration finding ways in which to continue keeping your children safer on the internet. Remember that they need the internet in today’s fast pace world. Don’t simply remove the internet from their way.