The internet truly is an information superhighway and surfing the web can spark a child’s interest into an exciting array of issues and opportunities.  But, like many parents, I worry about the dangers our children may face as they spend hours online chatting with friends, downloading music, and exploring the farthest reaches of cyberspace. 

Now that summer is here and school is out, many children and young adults will be spending more time using their personal computers and surfing the internet.  Parents must exercise the same caution as they would if their children were swimming in a pool or playing on the jungle gym.

June is National Internet Safety Month and a perfect time for parents to refresh themselves on the importance of internet safety and establish rules and guidelines to help keep their children safe while surfing the World Wide Web. 

By law, web sites directed to children or that knowingly collect information from children under age thirteen must post a notice of their information collection practices, including the type of information the site collects, how the site will use the information, whether personal information is forwarded to advertisers or other third parties, and a contact at the site.  In many cases, a site must obtain parental consent before collecting, using, or disclosing personal information about a child.  Parents can give consent and still decline to have a child’s information passed along to a third party. 

Web site operators must also allow parents to review personal information collected from their children.  The site will ask a parent to verify his or her identity to ensure that a child’s information is not released improperly.  Parents may revoke consent at any time and may ask to have any personal information deleted.  Most importantly, children should be encouraged to let a trusted adult know about any suspicious computer activity or contact that makes them feel uncomfortable.

Security experts at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) provide a number of tips for computer users of all ages.  For example, make sure passwords have both letters and numbers and are at least eight characters long.  Computer users should also avoid common words and not use personal information, a login name, or adjacent keys on the keyboard as passwords.  Installing anti-virus software and updating it regularly can protect computers from viruses, but computer users should not open a file attached to an e-mail unless it is expected or its contents are known.

Information on children’s internet safety and security is available at the FTC’s web site at www.ftc.gov/bcp or by calling the agency toll-free at 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357).  Telephone assistance for those with hearing impairments is available by calling 1-866-653-4261 (TTY).

Summer is a time for children to relax, spend time with their friends, and have fun.  As parents and grandparents, it is our job to make sure they can do this as safely as possible, and the internet is no exception.