Kids rule online!

I have a nine year old boy who jumps from a PC to Mac, he knows both operating systems and can search online for just about everything, knows youtube like the back of his hand and has a Facebook page....scary isn't it!

Here are the rules he has to follow, he is never in a room on his own and either his Mum or me will engage him in conversation about what he is watching. He's into his music an watches music videos some of which we think are a bit too raunchy for him so he knows not to search for certain artists but thankfully for now he is more interested in Shaun the Sheep.

If you have children with access to the internet then using a pc shouldn't be any more private than watching tv. Have the PC somewhere like the family room or kitchen. Don't let young children have computers in their bedroom. However, as more and more teenagers become web smart and are trusted with their own computers, ensure that you walk in and out of the room frequently when the child is online.

Install an operating system that makes you the administrator. Create a password that will allow only you to control the computer's Internet settings, online content, and software that can be installed. This is an important step in monitoring your child's online activities, even when you are away from the home.

Programs like PC Pandora can be an effective tool in protecting your child. It creates a visual record of everything your child does, but it also allows you to set filters that limit access to potentially harmful online content and can also time out after a specified amount of time. No matter which program you chose to use, know what your program can and can't do and talk to your child about being monitored.

Make sure they understand that there is a reason why they are being monitored and that you are actually going to do it to protect them from something bad that could happen to them.

If your child like mine are on Facebook MySpace, Blogger, Friendster or Tagged, have them set their profile to "private." For any site they visit, make sure they know that they must never give away personal information without permission from you. Explain what information is considered personal (name, age, photos, gender, physical description, telephone number, address, etc.) and talk to them about the best way to use the technology at their fingers to keep it "less personal, more private."

Child-friendly Web browsers such as Crayon Crawler, KidRocket KidSafe, or Noah's Web.are a good idea Noah's Web comes with three browsers: one for children ages 4 to 12, one for teens, and one for parents.

Mac users should check out BumperCar 2

You should also consider a child-protection Net package such as CyberPatrol or Net Nanny.

This still leaves Internet Explorer, because it comes with Windows it can't be uninstalled. To prevent your child from using Internet Explorer, password-protect it. Go to Tools > Internet Options, and select the Content tab. Under Content Advisor, click Enable. On the General tab, locate the Supervisor Password area. Type in a password, then hit Apply.