Internet Safety Guide For Parents:

Internet Basics

Internet Basics	Internet Predators
Usernames & E-mail	Social Networking
IMing & Chat Rooms	On-line Safety Tips
Cyberbullying	Helpful Resources

What is the Internet?

The Internet, similar to the phone system, is the connection of personal, educational, government, and business computers to each other. The computers can be connected by wires (cables), or by wireless transmission. Once connected, the Internet allows people to send and retrieve information with their computers. The kinds of information available among computers that are “on-line” (connected to the Internet) include: text, photos, music and movies.

What is a web site?

When you or your children start using the Internet, you will most likely use a program on a computer called a web browser such as Internet Explorer or Firefox. With your browser, you will be able to visit “web sites”. A web site is a collection of information about a certain topic. For example, childrenshospitalboston.org is a web site with information about the programs, services and research of Children’s Hospital Boston.

To get to a particular web site, you will need a "web address" also known as a URL. You can find useful web addresses from printed resources like magazines and books, and you can also find them by using an Internet search engine like Google or Yahoo. When you see a URL (web address) listed on a web page, it is called a “link”. If you click on it, your browser will take you to the web site associated with that web address.

There are four common kinds of web sites. The endings give a idea as to what type of web address it is. For example:

• Web addresses that end in .gov are government web sites. Check out one of our government's web sites at: 4girls.gov
• Web addresses that end in .edu are web sites connected with "educational institutions" like schools and colleges. Check out a college web site at: harvard.edu
• Web addresses that end in .org are usually, but not always connected with an organization. Check out youngwomenshealth.org. This is our web site!
• Web addresses that end in .com are often connected with a commercial site or a company that is selling something. Check out nick.com, which is Nickelodeon's site.

Here is a list of some frequently used terms that you may come across when reading about the internet:

What should I know about downloading?

“Downloading” means copying content or programs from another computer or web site onto your own computer. Downloading can be a quick and easy way of getting something you want from a trusted source - for example purchasing songs or movies on iTunes, or getting the latest version of your Internet browser from the Internet Explorer web site.

If you have given your teen permission to download items, remind her to only download known materials from trustworthy people or web sites, to avoid copying harmful or unwanted files onto your computer. If you or your teen don't know where the information is coming from, don't download it because it might contain a virus, which can damage your computer.

What is a profile?

When someone creates an on-line account (for email, chat, IM or other purposes), they have the option of creating a “profile”. When setting up the account your teen will be asked for profile information such as: on-line name, real name, address, and hobbies. Remember that your teen's profile is a very fast way for anyone to find out more about her. Talk to your teen first about whether or not she should fill out this information – filling it out is optional. Restrict your teen from using her last name or address. A predator will use every bit of information to find their victim at school, work, after school activities - anywhere!

Previous

Next: Usernames & E-mail

Written by the Center for Young Women's Health Staff

Updated: 10/03/2008

Related Information:

• Related Links

This health guide is made possible by a grant from the The Comcast Foundation.