Tips for keeping kids safe when they're surfing online

Keeping up with your children can be a challenge in an Internet world. Those technologies that help people connect, such as Web surfing, online chatting, instant messaging, blogging and more, may expose your children to inappropriate content or people who might want to take advantage of them.

But parents don't have to unplug the computer or be Internet gurus to protect their children, said Kristen Johnsen, senior director for security outreach at Microsoft Corp.

"Even if parents can't tell a blog from a wiki, new technology safeguards and online resources can help them take more control of their children's Internet use and create a safer online experience for the entire family," Johnsen said.

And the Internet itself can offer some free help for parents, with many websites specializing in safety tips and programs. Microsoft is offering dozens of pages of free online safety guidance and resources online on its website at www.microsoft.com/ athome/security.

Here are some other safety tips from the experts at Microsoft:

+Set clear rules for Internet usage. Prepare children for the online world just as you would for

the real world. Establish guidelines and know who your children are communicating with and what they are seeing online.

+Keep personal information private. Don't share personal information about yourself online such as your name, address, age or gender with people you don't know in the real world.

+Consider PC proximity. It might make sense to place the family's computer in a common room, especially for PCs that don't have family safety software installed. Parents are able to provide supervision and guidelines more easily this way.

+Keep communication open between parents and children. When kids see something on the Internet that makes them feel uncomfortable, assure them they can talk to a parent or other trusted adult about it without fear of getting their computer privileges taken away.

In addition, family safety settings in many popular technology products such as Xbox 360, Windows Live and MSN Premium provide security tools to help block objectionable websites, control who corresponds with children, and guard against online attacks.

This story provided by StatePoint Media.