| Chat rooms are very popular with kids and teens | | | | even prevent your child from sharing personal |
| right now. Sites like and others can be a great | | | | information.3. Have a discussion with your child to |
| way for kids to get to know other kids and teens | | | | let them know the rules and then post the rules |
| who share the same interests as them. But, just | | | | for using chat rooms and the internet. Make sure |
| as with nearly every other good thing, chat | | | | they understand and agree to all of the rules.4. |
| rooms have a dangerous side as well. Online | | | | Get your child's login name and password for any |
| predators, harassment, inappropriate language and | | | | chat rooms that they visit.Rules for kids:1. Never |
| other concerns can all be found in chat rooms | | | | tell anyone what you look like, where you live, |
| that cater to kids and teens. So, before your | | | | what your phone number is, or give out your full |
| children get online, you need to make sure that | | | | name.2. Only use rooms that have a moderator.3. |
| they understand all of the rules on the information | | | | If you see any language, pictures, etc. that are |
| highway.Suggestions for Parents:1. One of the | | | | inappropriate or mean, talk to your parents or |
| best things that you can do to monitor your | | | | contact the moderator immediately.4. Don't agree |
| child's use of chat rooms is to have your | | | | to meet anyone you meet online without |
| computer in a public place. This will not only give | | | | permission from your parents.5. Don't send your |
| you an easy way to check what they are doing, | | | | picture or anything else to anyone you meet |
| but you can limit their time online as well.2. Since | | | | online unless your parents agree.6. Never give out |
| you cannot be watching your children constantly | | | | your password or login information to anyone |
| while they are online using chat rooms, you can | | | | except your parents.7. Ask permission before you |
| purchase a software program that will monitor | | | | have a "private chat" or IM.Eriani Doyel writes |
| their use. Some programs can record | | | | articles about Chat Rooms. |
| "conversations," limit your child's time online, and | | | | |