Here are some internet links you may find interesting and helpful.

Understanding & managing family use of media:

Common Sense Media - search or browse this site for ratings and content descriptions for movies, TV programs, video games, books, websites and music.

FCC Parent's Place - provides descriptions of the laws, regulations and ratings governing children's television programming along with information on channel blocking and internet safety.

Not MY Kid parent site about warning signs and symptoms of substance abuse, eating disorders, suicide, depression and more.  Offers effective prevention and intervention strategies.

Guidelines for internet use:

• Keep your computer in a central & accessible location in your home & be aware of other computers your children may use.
• Use the internet with your children.  Let them show you what they can do online, visit their favorite sites, & maintain a dialog about what applications they are using.
• Teach your children never to give out personal information (name, address, phone number, schoo, hometown) to people they meet in chat rooms or on bulletin boards.
• Know who children's online friends are and oversee chat areas.
• If your children use chat or email, advise them not to meet in person with anyone they first "met" online.  Remind them that not everything they read or see on the internet is true. 
• Talk to children about not responding to offensive or dangerous email, chat or other communications.  Do not delete offensive or dangerous email; turn off the monitor & contact local law enforcement.
• Talk to children about what to do if they see something that makes them feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused.  Show them how to turn off the monitor & emphasize that it's not their fault if they see something upsetting.  Remind children to tell a trusted adult.
• If you suspect online "stalking" or sexual exploitation of a child, report it to your local law enforcement agency.
• Internet accounts should be in the parent's name with parents having the primary screen name, controlling passwords, and using blocking and/or filtering devices. 
• Implement parental-control tools provided by some internet service providers and available for purchase as separate software packages.

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