June is National Internet Safety Awareness Month. All month, we will share ideas on how to keep the internet a safe resource for you and your family. See other articles about online safety.

Keeping kids safe on the internet can seem like an overwhelming task. Kids are at risk of finding inappropriate content, interacting with dangerous people, and engaging in risky behavior. The good news is that you don’t need a Ph.D. in internet technology to be a great cyber-parent. However, you do need to make a commitment to become familiar with the technology your children use and to stay current with internet safety issues.

Although technologies evolve quickly, there are some basics that will help keep kids safe. The “Rules ‘N Tools” (internet safety rules and software tools) developed by Enough Is Enough can help. It involves implementing both safety rules and software tools on all your devices. It focuses on the positives of the internet and technology while teaching about the dangers and how to make wise choices online.

Download the Internet Safety Rules ‘N Tools Checklist and then sit down and have a discussion with your family. Decide what you will do as a family to benefit from technology but stay safe. We will publish articles throughout the month that focus on specific aspects of internet safety.

What have you found to be helpful in talking with your kids or in setting family internet rules?

Resources in Spanish:

• Descargue la lista de Seguridad en Internet Reglas y Herramientas. (Spanish Version of Internet Safety Rules ‘N Tools Checklist)
• Directrices de Reglas y Herramientas para la Seguridad en el Internet. (Spanish Version of How to Use Internet Safety 101 Rules ‘N Tools Checklist)