The Internet continues to bring the world to our fingertips. However, without supervision, it can be a very unsafe place for children.  By providing rules and guidelines for using the Internet, parents can ensure that children are able to learn and connect safely.  Here are some great ways to begin the conversation around using the Internet.

Kids (ages 5-8)

• What websites do you like to visit? Can you show them to me?
• Does your screen name or e-mail address give clues about who you are? If so, let’s come up with a safer one.
• Who are your online friends? Do you know all of them in person?

Tweens (ages 9-12)

• What websites do you like to visit? Can you show them to me?
• Have you ever come across anything online which made you feel uncomfortable?
• Do you think that it's safe to share your passwords with your friends? Do you think it's okay to share your passwords with your best friend?

Teens (ages 13 to 17)

• What kind of information do you feel is safe to share about yourself online?
• Are you comfortable with the information that you have posted online, knowing that it might be seen by friends, officials at your school, college and university admissions departments, and employers?
• Have you and your friends talked about what types of pictures are okay to post online? What about the comments you leave on each other's pages?

Download additional conversation starters in English or Spanish.

For more information about Internet safety, visit www.NetSmartz.org.

For more information regarding NCMEC's resources to help prevent the sexual exploitation of children or to make a report, visit www.CyberTipline.com.