Keeping your kids safe in cyberspace

When a child wants to go out — whether it's down the street to the park, or out with friends to the mall — parents always find out where they're going and who they'll be with.

But what about a child who is surfing the Internet or chatting with friends online? While the Internet is an excellent tool for entertainment and information, it can also be an intimidating place for today's youth. A 1999 report by the Canada Safety Council* found that one in five 11-12 year-olds reported receiving e-mail messages that have bothered or frightened them. Of those, only 20% told an adult.

Online safety is an important issue that affects all members of the family, and unfortunately, not all parents are actively involved in and aware of their children's online habits. A study by the Media Awareness Network reports 70% of young people say their parents talk to them very little or not at all about what they do online.*

According to MSN.CA, an open dialogue between parents and children is an important first step in online safety. In addition, parents can also take steps to filter unwanted e-mails and block access to inappropriate Web sites. Online services such as MSN® 8 (www.msn8.msn.ca), a new service with advanced parental controls, virus protection and advanced spam filters, allow parents to guide their children's online experience while providing the flexibility to customize the experience for each child.

For parents who don't know where to start, here are a few simple tips from MSN.CA that will help create a safer online experience for your child:

• The family computer should be located in the living room or office — not in a child's bedroom.
• Children should never give out any personal information online without a parent's permission. This includes name, telephone number, address, e-mail, location of school, parents' work addresses/telephone numbers and credit card numbers.
• If children receive a message that makes them uncomfortable they need to log off and tell an adult right away.
• Children should never arrange to meet a friend they have made on the Internet unless their parents have been informed and will be present.
• Parents need to create an open dialogue with their children about their online activities. Also by using parental controls, such as those available with the MSN 8 service, parents can feel more secure about what their children see and do online.
• While online parental controls, such as those available through the MSN 8 service, can help guide children's Internet experience, they are not a substitute for parental supervision. As with any child-related activity, it is important for parents to be actively involved to make sure their kids are getting the best Internet experience possible.