12 Computer-use Rules for Kids

1. Use parental controls. It's difficult enough with software, and nearly impossible without. MS makes a free, easy to use product: http://download.live.com/familysafety
2. Computers should be kept/used in a central location like the dining room or kitchen table, where there is family activity.
3. Kids should not keep cell phones in their rooms overnight. 24 hour access to text/email/Internet is too much.
4. Monitor their traffic - how many texts and to whom? What websites visited? Let them know you track it.
5. Kids should not expect to keep online activity private from parents. All digital communication is fair-game.
6. Discuss reputation - photographs taken and statements made NEVER go away. Poor judgement as a child online can follow them through life.
7. Talk to your kids about websites they like to visit, and which of their friends also use those websites.
8. If your kids use social networking sites, set the privacy settings so only friends can view their updates/information, and make sure you're always on their 'friend' list.
9. Know their passwords - all of them.
10. Let your kids know what qualifies as personal information*, and that personal information NEVER goes online, in texts, or in emails.
11. Be calm no matter what your kids tell you they saw or read online. You freaking out means they are much less likely to come to you with these issues in the future. Don't threaten their access to the internet/communication, or they may not tell you when they need help.
12. Make sure your kids understand why they should never arrange to meet people from the internet without including you in their arrangements, and without taking along a friend, meeting in a well-lit, public place, etc.

*Personal information is anything that can be used to identify or locate a person - financial information, address, ID numbers, etc.