Computer Smarts: Being a Safe Surfer

The Internet is not only a useful tool, it also opens a door to cool places, new ideas and tons of information. Below are some tips for how to use the Internet safely to find what you need.

1. Before you begin to explore the Web, it would be good to read and discuss with an adult partner (parent, teacher or guardian) the Internet Safety Pledge. Print it out and sign it together.


2. With an adult as your partner start exploring the Web -- a good spot to begin is Yahooligans (a safe search engine for kids): http://www.yahooligans.com. This is a great directory for kid-friendly Web sites.


3. Check out one of the categories on Yahooligans with your adult partner and find one that interests you. You can use the search engine to find particular information about a topic.


4. When you go to a Web site there are some important questions to ask.

  • What kind of site is it? The end of the Web address tells you something about the person or group that created the site.
    • .Com (Commercial) or .Net (Network) are usually commercial type of Web sites -- they may have helpful information but primarily they are trying to sell you something.
    • .Org (Organization) are non-profit Web sites. Nonprofit sites don't usually try to sell you anything but have been created to pass on some sort of information about a particular topic. For example, this Web site's purpose is to pass on health information to people your age.
    • .Gov (Government) are sites created by local, state and federal governments.

  • Does this site ask for personal information (name, e-mail address or phone number) in order to look at or do something, like play a game, on the site? If it is asking for personal information you should always get permission from your adult partner.
  • Does it give you useful information that has been reviewed or updated recently? Information, especially about a health care issue, that is more than a couple of years old might be outdated. Look for a date.