Many thanks for your comment and your helpful tips. We completely agree that it is the responsibility of a parent to know what their children are up to online and make sure they are well educated on the potential dangers.

Please allow me to share a few tips for parents on this issue.

The best tech safety policy between parents and youngsters is education and trust. Being “plugged in” is an everyday part of most kids’ lives. It’s no longer enough to situate computers in high traffic areas of the home. Remember, youngsters have internet access from many sources, including laptops, cell phones, ipods, WiFi cafes and friends’ equipment.

As parents and caregivers, we have a responsibility to be informed and familiar with all technology our kids are using: email, chatting, gaming, texting, IMing, social networking, as well as web and cell phone camera use. Supervise and interact with youngsters online and electronically. Acknowledge if your child is more technologically savvy than you, and ask for their assistance; it will boost their self-esteem. Use local and national news stories concerning Internet and electronic crimes as teachable moments.

If you have installed parental controls on your computer(s), don’t be surprised if your kids or their friends quickly bypass them. Become familiar with Internet chat/texting acronyms (LMIRL=Let’s meet in real life, A/S/L = Age/Sex/Location.) Let your youngster know that, for their own safety, you will be monitoring their cell phone, texting and email use from time to time. Then do so.

If your youngster abuses any form of technology, consider taking the privilege away for a period of time. Reward good behavior as well. Education, communication and trust are key to Internet safety.

For more information, please visit childluresprevention.com and teenluresprevention.com . We’re here to help.