Here's Some Rules:
1. Never give out identifying information - home address, school name, or telephone number - in a public message forum such as chat or bulletin boards, and always be sure you're dealing with someone that both you and your child know and trust before giving it out via e-mail.
2. Think carefully before revealing any personal information about you or your family, such as age, marital status, or financial information. Consider using a pseudonym or unlisting your child's name if your service allows it.
3. Never respond to messages or bulletin board items that are suggestive, obscene, abusive, belligerent, threatening, or make you feel uncomfortable. Encourage your children to tell you if they encounter any such messages. If you or your child receives a message that is harassing, of a sexual nature, or threatening, forward a copy of the message to your service provider and ask for their assistance.
4. Instruct your child not to click on any links that are contained in e-mail from persons they don't know. Such links could lead to sexually explicit or otherwise inappropriate web sites.
5. Never allow a child to arrange a face-to-face meeting with someone they meet online without parental permission. If a meeting is arranged, make the first one in a public place, and be sure to accompany your child.
6. Get to know the sites your child uses. If you don't know how to log on, get your child to show you. Find out what types of information they offer and whether there are ways for parents to block out objectionable material.
7. Should you become aware of the transmission, use, or viewing of child pornography while online, immediately report this to your service provider.
8. Remember that people online may not be who they seem. Because you can't see or even hear the person it is easy for someone to misrepresent him or herself. Therefore, someone indicating that "she" is a "12-year-old girl" could in reality be a 40-year-old man. Always be aware of the dangers.
9. Set reasonable rules and guidelines for computer use by your children. Decide whether or not to use parental control tools or protective software. Discuss these rules with children and put a note near the computer as a reminder. Remember to monitor their compliance of these rules, especially when it comes to the amount of time your child spends online. A child or teenager's excessive use of online services or bulletin boards, especially late at night, may be a clue that there might be a problem. Remember that personal computers and online services should not be used as electronic babysitters.
10. Be sure to make this a family activity. Consider keeping the computer in a family room rather than the child's bedroom. Get to know their "online friends" just as you would get to know all of their other friends.