The start of a new school year brings our children to the Internet for homework, as well as entertainment and social interaction. Besides serving up information on every conceivable subject, the Web provides a creative outlet that broadens their world and stretches their imagination.

While the Internet has become indispensable for most school kids, it comes with potentially serious risks. When young people go to online networks such as myspace.com or facebook.com, many have a sense that only their friends, and maybe their parents, have access to their personal sites. The reality is that everyone on the Web has access, and some adults use these sites to exploit children.

My office has developed a brochure called “Do You Know What Your Child Is Doing Online? A Guide to Internet Safety for Parents and Educators.” This guide and accompanying video provide parents and teachers with a wealth of information about how to protect children from the dangers lurking in the dark corners of the Internet. The brochure and video are available at www.azag.gov/children_family/netsafety.html.

Our Guide provides information on subjects such as cyberstalking, cyberbullying and warning signs parents should watch out for regarding blogs and chat rooms. This brochure also lists resources for parents and teachers who would like more information about Internet safety.

My office is glad to make Internet Safety presentations to school groups, church groups or community organizations. Contact our Community Services Program at 602.542.2123 (1.866.358.6661 outside Maricopa County) or at communityservices@azag.gov to schedule a presentation.

You can help further by not only talking with your children, but also setting up Internet house rules. Here are some to consider:

• Keep the computer in a room shared by the family.
• Establish times your children are allowed to be on the Internet.
• Observe your children's online activity whenever possible.
• Check the computer's Internet history frequently to find out where your children have been surfing.
• Invest in child-safe software, available at electronics stores and on the Internet from your ISP (Internet Service Provider).
• Teach your children to never give out any personal identifying information, such as full name, address, phone number, school or favorite hangouts.

If you are concerned about an e-mail your child received, report it to the Office of the Attorney General at www.azag.gov or to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at www.cybertipline.com.

The Internet can be a tremendous resource for kids. Let's help them use it safely.

Terry Goddard