We know it can be intimidating to teach your kids about Internet safety while educating yourself on how to make the online experience fun, safe and rewarding for your whole family. Here are our top four guidelines to help you take this challenge head-on!

Create an environment in which your children feel secure confiding in you. Encourage conversation - let them know that they can talk to you freely about all their experiences, virtual or not. If they tell you about something that made them uncomfortable or upset online, give them kudos for approaching you and then teach them how to avoid such problems in the future. One of the best ways to establish “net smarts” is to make it a joint, ongoing quest with your child.

Get involved with your kids’ online experiences. Ask them to show you the sites they like. Read Rules and Privacy Policies together, and make sure you are always on the same page. Bookmark sites that you know offer good, safe fun and encourage them to visit those links often. Ask questions. Make choices together. Keep the lines of communication open. This is not just a smart approach, but absolutely essential to overall safety online.

Take action! It's up to you to understand the Internet from both a parent's AND a kid's point of view. Do your research. Check out your child’s favorite sites. You can also gain insight from local librarians, teachers, community centers, and other parents. There are online communities and forums for parents that you can join, too.

There’s plenty of software on the market designed to help you maintain a safe online environment for your kids. Check with your Internet Service Provider and/or online service about what they have available to help maximize kid-friendly, kid-safe online experiences.