Know about Your Child's Online Buddies

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Just like you ask your kids what they do in their free time and with whom, find out about their online friends, too. Online game play, social networking sites (including MySpace and Facebook) and blogs widen your kids' communities infinitely.

Make it "friends only." Online meeting spots typically allow you to restrict who can contact your children or see their details. Consider a "friends only" rule - no strangers allowed. You'll usually find the option to turn on those blocks (often called "privacy settings") wherever the site allows you to edit the user profile.

Talk about meeting people online. Your kids may consider the Internet an extension of the real world. But the anonymity of the online world allows users to deceive. Let your kids know that online friends may not be what they seem and to be careful. You might choose to have your kids come to you before making any friend online.

Know who is on your kids' friends lists. Online gaming and social networking sites often feature friends lists. Those files catalog people whom the user has accepted into his or her online community. Get to know you kids' online friends. Who are they? How did they become friends?

Deny requests from online friends to meet in person. You can't know for sure who they are or what their intentions may be.

Keep checking. Friends change over time. Be sure you know who's in and who's out.

For additional guidance on using parental controls, read "Understanding Parental Controls" and check out the Tip Sheets for Parents.