Your kids love going online. And why not? The Internet brims with ideas, people, and experiences. Yet the technology that helps you explore and use the Web also makes it easy for you to expose your personal information to others, and some Net-goers are eager to take advantage of the situation.

This guide focuses on the following:

1. Data theft–stolen passwords, addresses, Social Security numbers, credit card numbers, and other financial information
2. Malicious software (also known as malware)–adware, spyware, viruses, phishing scams
3. Inappropriate content–pornography, content focused on violence, hate propaganda
4. Cyberbullying–bullying peers via instant messages, social networking sites, online games
5. Predators–social networking sites, chat rooms

There’s also a checklist you can print and tape to your child’s shared or personal computer, plus links to further resources.

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