There are some very important things that you need to keep in mind when you're on your computer at home or at school.

• First, remember never to give out personal information such as your name, home address, school name, or telephone number in a chat room or on bulletin boards. Also, never send a picture of yourself to someone you chat with on the computer without your parent's permission.
• If some makes you feel uncomfortable or scared, stop talking to them imediately and report it to your parents/teacher.
• Do not meet someone or have them visit you without the permission of your parents.
• Keep the computer in a common area, not in individual bedrooms, where you can watch and monitor your child.
• Bookmark your child's favorite sites for easy access.
• If your child has a new "friend," insist on being "introduced" online to that friend.
• Remember: not everything you read on the Internet is true.
• Pick a name, different from your real name, to use online.
• If someone online asks you too many personal questions, be suspicious. Stop talking with them.
• Always remember that people online may not be who they say they are. It is very easy for people to pretend to be someone they are not.
• Double-check the URL (the address of the Web site) before hitting the Enter key. Make sure the spelling is right. This will help ensure you go to the site you want, and not some other place.
• Delete email from unknown sources. Watch out for files attached to e-mails, particularly those with an "exe" extension-even if people you know sent them to you. Some files transport and distribute viruses and other programs that can permanently destroy files and damage computers and Web sites. Do not forward e-mail if you are not completely sure that any attached files are safe.
• Don't provide your credit card number or other identifying information as proof of age to access or subscribe to a web site run by any person or company with whom you are not personally familiar or that doesn't have an extremely good, widespread reputation. Check consumer advocacy resources before giving out your credit card number to anyone, just to be sure that your trust is justified.