Box 10.2 Age-Based Tips for Guiding Children's Home Internet Use from the Children's Partnership Ages 2 to 3: Computers need not play much of a role in the youngest child's life. However, it doesn't hurt for very young children to see family members using computers and enjoying themselves online. Tips: Put your child in your lap as you "play" on the computer. Look for books and children's video programs like Sesame Street that include images of children and family members using a computer. Ages 4 to 7: While serious computer use isn't a priority for these youngsters, children at this age can begin to make greater use of computer games and educational products. Tips: Spend as much time as you can with your child while he or she uses the computer. Show lots of tangible results and achievements. For example, print work your child has done on the computer. Share an e-mail address with your child, so you can oversee his or her mail and discuss correspondence. Ages 8 to 11: At this age, children can begin to directly experience and appreciate more fully the potential of online experiences. For instance, children can begin to use online encyclopedias, download pictures for school reports, or have e-mail pen pals. Tips: Set very clear rules for online use and clear consequences if they are broken. Teach children to let you know if they encounter anything scary or unusual online. Discuss some of the unique aspects of behavior in cyberspace--like anonymity and what it means for your child and for others. Ages 12 to 14: At this age, young people can use the more sophisticated research resources of the information superhighway, accessing everything from the Library of Congress's collection to magazines and newspapers to archives from around the world. Tips: Since children of this age are more likely to explore on their own, set up clear parental rules, limits, and periodic check-ins. Set clear rules about which chat rooms are acceptable for your teenager, and how much time can be spent there. Be sure your children understand the actions that can be taken if people harass them online or do anything inappropriate. Pay particular attention to games that your teenager might download or copy as some of these games are extremely violent. Ages 15 to 18: The Internet provides a rich resource for older teens, including information about job opportunities, internships, and colleges; applications to create multimedia reports; and specialized help with foreign languages and other school subjects. Tips: Ask your teenager for help researching topics of interest to the family (follow-up on a family discussion, planning a family vacation, and so on). Talk to your teenager about new things online and encourage discussion of new experiences. Make sure your teenager knows the legal implications of online behavior. Watch time limits to make sure your teenager is still pursuing a well-rounded set of activities. If your teenager is especially interested in computers, encourage him or her to help younger children with their online explorations (e.g., at the local Boys or Girls Club). SOURCE: Wendy Lazarus and Laurie Lipper, 1998. The Parent's Guide to the Information Superhighway, The Children's Partnership, May. A complete copy of the guide is available at <www.childrenspartnership.org>.