With all the hype regarding social networking and online collaboration what does a parent need to know to ensure cyber safety for their children? As a parent of a tween and teen I am constantly asking myself, "do I know what I need to know to support their Internet use?"  

I believe the first thing that each parent should ask themselves is "where is the home computer located?" Is it in an open area of the house for all to see or is it in a room that can be closed off from other users? Our family took the plunge and bought a laptop- the kids can take it "anywhere" but "anywhere" in our household is typically the kitchen or family room where everyone has a clear view of the computer and the sites being accessed.

Now that we have ensured safe access we wanted to also know where they were spending their time while online.  We took a proactive approach and decided to talk with our kids about safety and use of the internet versus completely locking down all sites with parental control. What this means is we monitor their use, if they have research to do we help them surf the web. When they ask to get on the computer we ask the purpose of their request. As a parent, is this enough? Should we be doing more? I would like to think that as long as we stay engaged, model appropriate use,  and keep informed our kids will make wise decisions while using the internet to search and gain information for pleasure or for learning.

The following are just a few resources that might help you as you approach the subject of "How can you be a successful Parent 2.0?"

http://bnetsavvy.com/ht/display/ContentDetails/i/605

Diligence - Parent resources on Web Awareness

Yahoo! Kids: Online Safety Protecting Teen Reputations on Web 2.0