Have you thought about drawing up a parent-child Internet safety contract? It's a great way to show your child just how important it is to take proper steps to protect him or herself while engaging in any type of social networking activity online. Social networking is the wave of the future. There's no way to avoid it but there are things you can do in order to safeguard your child to the greatest degree possible. A positive first step in the right direction for many families has been to sign one of these contracts vowing that you will both do your part to ensure the safety of your child online.

There are many positive things that can come of a parent-child Internet safety agreement. Not the least of which is the fact that you will both have a clear and concise understanding of what is allowed, what is forbidden, limits, and expectations for online activities and usage. Remember that there may be some initial bridling but ultimately you are the parent and what you say must go. That being said, it doesn’t hurt to have a few ground rules established before things are said and done online that can never completely be taken back.

What type of information should be included in the parent-child Internet safety contract? That's an excellent question. While the overall goal is to protect your child from potential harm there is no reason you can't make this contract one that will work well for your family. A few excellent rules you may want to establish include these: 1) Chores and homework before social networking and playing games online. 2) Maximum allowable time online on school nights, weekends, and holidays. 3) Lights out time for computers, cell phones, and other 'net ready devices. 4) Acceptable behavior online – just as you don't want your child to bully others you also don't want your child to participate in the hazing or bullying of others either. 5) Things that your child is and is not allowed to say or information your child is not allowed to provide during the course of his or her social networking.

It would be great if there was no need for a parent-child Internet safety contract. Unfortunately the world in which we live presents so many dangers online and off that this is a great way to protect your family from many of them. Set good social networking habits today to save your family from a great deal of potential hurt in the future.