 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 cyber bullying or sharing private communications online.

 Follow the golden rule of cyberspace: Don’t do anything online that you wouldn’t do in real life!

 Install spy-ware and ad-ware 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

 Use filtering or parental control technologies. Block everything that isn’t pre-approved, rather than just filtering out the "bad" sites.

 Think about whether your children really need e-mail or IM, and if you determine they do: block all communications from anyone other than pre-approved senders and make sure their buddy list is no longer than the age of the child and that you know (in real life) everyone on it.

 Bookmark their favorite Web sites so they won’t mistype them and end up at a "bad" site.

 Use kid-sized search engines such as Yahooligans and Ask Jeeves for Kids.

 Limit their online time to no more than a 1/2-hour a day, unless they have a special project for school.

 Check with their teachers often for suggested Web sites and for recommendations for good resources online.

 Don’t let them use interactive games, such as X-Box Live or Sony Playstation network yet. Try Toontown.com instead.

 Sit down with them as often as possible and find out where they go online, what they like and ask or answer any questions.

 Tell them to get your permission before posting any content, including profiles and blogs, to a Web site or sending it via e-mail or IM.

 Look for safe site lists you can trust. Check out WiredKids.org’s approved safe sites list.

 Raise the bar on filtering or parental control technologies if you find they are complaining or are locked out of school-recommended sites. Or make sure that you use a product that will them send you an e-mail at work to let you unblock a particular site. (MSN has this feature.)

 If you add IM, make sure only pre-approved senders can send your child an IM.

 Use a pop-up blocker or toolbar (like Google’s), an antivirus program and a spy-ware remover (this begins the age of dangerous downloads).

 Keep using the Yahooligans and Ask Jeeves for Kids search engines.

 Make sure that they understand what information can and can’t be shared online with anyone.

 Practice chatting online with them so they know how to handle strangers they encounter online.

 Consider using monitoring software to be able to review what they are saying and doing.

 Keep a close eye out for spy-ware in case they accidentally corrupt the files on the computer. Back everything up!

 Limit online time (aside from special school projects) to under an hour a day (including all IM and text-messaging time).

 Raise the bar on parental controls and filtering programs.

 Starts using full-sized search engines with filters applied (check their advanced settings) or use a toolbar (Google’s comes preset with a medium filter).

 Teach them not to divulge personal information and double-check their IM "away messages" to make sure they’re not posting their cell phone numbers there.

 Make sure they can’t share pictures online, or set up profiles or blogs or webcams without your okay.

 Web sites they build should be reviewed carefully, as should screen names.

 Without going into details, warn them against predators – tell them you are concerned about people showing up at the house.

 Give them privacy as long as it is with people you trust.

 Block all but pre-approved senders.

 Interactive games should still be limited to Toontown.com and other kid-approved sites.

 Google their name, screen names, address, and telephone numbers at least once a week. Many kids post nasty things about others at this age.

 Make sure that you control the family account password and have their passwords too. Lock your private files with a password they don’t know. Change all passwords often.

 In addition to watching for spy-ware, search your computer regularly for images (porn or of your kids), and any music, movie or media files you don’t know about.

 Watch early media piracy; teach them not to steal online or offline.

 Get them started in online safety education, check out Wiredkids.org or internetsuperheroes.org. Check out starting a tween-angel chapter at your local school. (For more information visit teenangels.org).

 If they have a cell phone, make sure you know its ability to play games and download images and software. Think about limiting their cell phone usage in a way that shuts it down when they exceed it, instead of just charging you extra.