Like most parents, you probably have rules for how your children should deal with strangers, which TV shows, movies, and videos they are allowed to watch, what stores they're allowed to enter, and where and how far from home they're allowed to travel. It's important to make similar rules for your children's Internet use and to be aware of their online activities.

Even without trying, your children can come across materials on the Internet that are filled with pornography, obscene language, violence & hatred, or offensive in other ways. One type of material child pornography is illegal. You should report it to the Center for Missing and Exploited Children by calling 1(800) THE-LOST (843-5678) or going to http://www.missingkids.com.

While other offensive material is not illegal, there are steps you can take to keep it away from your children and out of your home.

Pay as much attention to highlighting good content as to restricting bad content.  
Follow the example of the many parents who take a balanced approach to the Internet. Both at home and at school, set rules and limits on Internet use, but also guide children to good content. Avoid gender stereotypes, especially since girls and boys–in equal percentages–are making use of the Internet.

There's a lot of great stuff on the Internet, but your guidance and involvement are essential to help steer kids towards the best sites and away from potential trouble. To ensure a safe trip, review the following  tips:

PLEASE REVIEW THE FOLLOWING SAFETY TIPS CAREFULLY
Tip #1 - Take the trip together. Take the time to see what your kids are doing online and what their interests are. Encourage your kids to adopt what they know about safety to the online world.	Tip #2 - Teach kids to never give out their personal information to people they meet online, especially in public places like chat rooms and bulletin boards.
Tip #3 -Instruct your child never to plan a face- to-face meeting alone with online acquaintances. If they are invited to a meeting, make sure they get your permission first, and that they go with you or an adult family member and always stay in a public place.	Tip #4 - If your child receives offensive or dangerous e-mail or other communication, tell him or her not to respond and to let you know immediately. You should also alert your Internet service provider. Child pornography or any other illegal activities directed at children should be reported to the CyberTipline.
Tip #5 - Establish clear ground rules for Internet use for your kids. Decide whether or not to use parental control tools or protective software. Ask service providers about parental control tools, or computer stores about "child safety software" to block, restrict, monitor and review kids activities online.	Tip #6 - Place your computer in the family room or another open area of your home. Or use the computer together at a library, school or community center. This will help keep you involved while your child is online.

The CyberTipline handles leads from individuals reporting the sexual exploitation of children.

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), in partnership with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Customs Service, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, serves as the national CyberTipline and as the national Child Pornography Tipline 1-800-843-5678. Please contact us if you have information that will help in our fight against child sexual exploitation. Your information will be forwarded to law enforcement for investigation and review, and, when appropriate, to the ISP.  The U.S. Congress has funded these initiatives for reporting child sexual exploitation.

For additional information or to report an incident, visit http://www.cybertipline.com.

We also recommend the following online safety sites:
	CyberAngels Cyberangels, is the largest online safety, education and help group in the world. We are a cyber-neighborhood watch and operate worldwide in cyberspace through our more than 3,000 volunteers from more than fourteen countries. (Cyberangels is run entirely by volunteers.) Our special volunteers patrol the internet looking for child pornography, child molesters and cyberstalkers. We also offer a wide variety of educational and help services to the internet community at large. Other Cyberangels find and review family-friendly websites, filter software products and Internet services. Our Teenangels, CyberMoms and CyberDads volunteer to speak at local community groups and schools around the country teaching Internet safety. Our Cyber-911 helpline gives netizens access to help when they need it online. We are proud of our reputation as the one-stop-shop for all cyberspace safety, privacy and help needs. http://www.cyberangels.org