It is important for parents and educators to know that the wonderful new technologies associated with the Internet can also introduce risks for children. Accessing the Internet creates a link with millions of people and is like posting information in any public place. Unfortunately there are people who use the Internet to do illegal and malicious things. When it comes to your children, it is important to know when they're online, where they surf and who they're talking to.

Some things parents can do to protect their children:

• Talk with your children about their online activities - how they use Internet resources, the sites they visit, what they like, the people they "meet" and interact with, and ask if they have encountered any material that makes them feel uncomfortable.
• Spend time with your children on the Internet. Learn about their knowledge and skills. Become familiar with their online activities.
• Establish reasonable rules and guidelines for your children's use of the Internet. Discuss these guidelines with your children and help them understand the rationale for them.
• Advise your children never to give out personally identifying information about themselves or their family. Also ask your children never to send any personal photographs over the Internet.
• Remind your children that the people they meet online may not really be who they say they are. It is easy to create a fake identity online.