Most people have at least one computer in their home, if your children have access to their own or a family computer it's important they know how to use it safely.

Children, especially teenagers value their privacy. Unfortunately, teenagers all to often push the boundaries and curiosity overrides caution and safety without strong parental guidance. As parents you would want to do everything you can to protect your children and this has to include teaching them how to a computer and the Internet safely.

Following are 5 simple tips that will help your children be safer on the Internet and will make you feel happier about the time they spend online.

1. Talk to openly with your children, making them aware about the dangers of online predators, especially on social networking sites. To create an atmosphere of trust at home you must talk openly and honestly to your children. You need to explain what the dangers are to your children and then agree some safety precautions they will take. Occasionally your child will break the rules. Don't panic. Just remind them of why you have imposed your rules.

2. Keep computers where you can be see what is transpiring online. It is harder to monitor what they are seeing and doing when a child is using the computer behind bedroom doors. It's much easier for you to keep an eye on what they are doing if it's in a common room in the house. This common space location on its own is probably enough to deter most children from watching something they know they shouldn't.

3. It's easy and affordable to get software that allows you to monitor and control what your children do on the computer. Both Mac OSX & Windows 7 have such a facility, however, we highly recommend CyperPatrol as the best software available for monitoring and controlling what your can access on the Internet. Most children today know how to use a computer & the Internet, you can stop them accessing to sites which have nudity, pornography, bad language, etc., by installing software such as CyperPatrol.

4. Explain to your children why they shouldn't put personal information on the Internet. Social networking sites often ask for personal details before your child can sign up to join, alas online predators may hack or trawl such sites to get such personal information from children and your child should be aware of this. Identity theft is also becoming incredibly prolific through the Internet, so ensure that your children err on the side of caution.

5. Email is an easy and common way for anonymous people to send SPAM and unwanted images or messages. You can ask your Internet Service Provider to install a SPAM filter at their mail server, many do so already. You can block all but your children's friends’ email addresses to their email account to that they do not receive unsolicited emails. This is also prevents them from receiving any indiscrete images or lewd messages.

The knowledge is power, you can impart to your children about the dangers of being online, which will have a great impact on their ability to protect themselves when they are on the Internet and in everyday life as well.

For even more ideas on protecting your children from online predators, download a free copy of Online Predators FAQ.

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