The best way to ensure your child's safety on the Internet is to be there.  Of course, that is not always possible.  Just as you teach your child rules about dealing with strangers outside the home, you must provide rules for communicating online. Some suggested rules:

• Always ask your parent's permission before using your full name, address, telephone number, or school name anywhere on the Internet.
• Always tell your parents or other adult you trust if you see something online that is scary or that you don't understand.
• Don't respond to messages that make you feel uncomfortable or uneasy.
• Never give out a credit  card number or password online.
• Never arrange to meet in person someone you've met online unless you discuss it with your parents and an adult goes with you.

Teach your children to be wise consumers in cyberspace.  Not everything they see or hear may be true.  Many sites may be trying to sell them something.

The vast majority of Internet sites are perfectly safe.  But, like the real world, the virtual world contains some sites with sexual, violent and other content that may not be appropriate for children.  Since different families have different standards, it's important to establish clear guidelines for your child's Internet use.

The Silver Falls Library's public Internet policies are designed to help parents be able to work with their children to have positive and constructive Internet experiences.  As the library requires the use a library card to access the Internet, any parent may limit their child's Internet use by requesting that a "no Internet" block be placed on the child's card.

We strongly recommend that you supervise your child's Internet use at home and at the library, and that you teach your child to make informed choices.