Complete Idiot's Guide to Protecting Your Child Online

Preston Gralla is the award-winning author of 16 books, including The Complete Idiot's Guide to Protecting Yourself Online and How the Internet Works. He has written about the Internet for many publications, including USA Today, the Los Angeles Times and PC Magazine. Preston has won several journalism awards, including the best feature article in a computer magazine from the Computer Press Association. He is the executive editor of ZDNet and appears regularly on TV and radio as an Internet expert, including shows and networks such as the CBS Early Show, MSNBC, CNN, ABC World News Now and many others.

Introduction. I. KIDS AND THE INTERNET. 1. What Do Kids Do on the Internet? Holy Mackerel! They Do All That? What Kids Do Online. Making the Grade: Using the Internet for Schoolwork. Keeping in Touch with Friends and Family with Chat, Messaging, and Email. Ain't We Got Fun! How Kids Use the Internet for Hobbies and Sports. But Wait, There's More! Other Ways Kids Use the Internet. 2. A Walk Down the Bad Side of Cybertown. The Stories. The Statistics (The Really Scary Stuff!). A Reality Check. 3. How Did This All Get Started? And Where Is It Going? In the Beginning. Who's in Charge? Regulating the Internet. The Future of the Internet. 4. What to Do If Your Kids Know More About Computers Than You Do. Free Your Mind and Your Fears. Computer Basics. Internet Basics. Web Navigating Know-How. II. THE REAL DIRT ON ONLINE DANGERS. 5. Chat, Chat, and More Chat. What Ways Are There for Kids to Chat on the Internet? The Dangers in Chatting How to Protect Your Kids While They're Chatting. Teach Your Kids These Rules for Self-Protection. 6. Evil Email. What Are the Dangers in Email? Defuse It! What You Can Do About Mail Bombs. How to Handle Stalkers and Harassers. What to Do About Dangerous Email Attachments. How to Protect Your Kids Against Spam. Use Spam-Fighting Software to Kill Spam Dead. Fight Back! What to Do If Your Kids Have Been Spammed. 7. Warning: X-Rated Content. Is Online Pornography Really a Danger? Watch What You Type. What's to Be Done? 8. Internet Marketing: We Want Your Money Now. Why You Should Care About Your Kids' Online Privacy. How Do They Collect Information About Kids? Surprise! There's Good News: The Law Is on Your Side. What Else Can You Do to Protect Your Children's Privacy? How to Let Your Kids Shop Online Without Worrying About Breaking the Bank. What to Ask Before Registering at Kids' Buying Sites. The Best Kids' Buying Sites Online. 9. The Scoop on Newsgroups. Newsgroups: What Are They? What Goes On in Newsgroups? Do Children Participate in Newsgroups? 10. Playing Games Online. Anyone Up for a Game? What Dangers Exist? Where Can I Find Good Games for Kids? 11. Other Ugly Stuff. Hatred and Bigotry for All. Yes, You Can Find Drugs, Alcohol, and Tobacco on the Internet. Dangerous Information at Your Fingertips. III. PREPARING YOUR COMPUTER. 12. Making Your Computer Safe. Are Cookies Really Sweet? Just What Are Web Cookies? Why Are Web Sites Serving Cookies? Where Are Cookies Stored? (Hint-It's Not in Your Cupboard). How You Can Make Cookies Crumble. Does the "Content Adviser" in Your Browser Do Any Good? Using a "Personal Firewall" . Evil TV? What About Cable Modems? Your Kids' Browser Is a Snitch-What You Can Do About It. 13. All About Filters. To Filter or Not to Filter, That Is the Question. What's Available in Parental Control Software? A Huge List of Software to Choose From. 14. How to Search the Web Safely. What Do I Need to Know About Search Engines? What Dangers Are There in Search Engines? That's Pretty Scary Stuff! What Can I Do About It? How to Use Family Filters on Search Engines. Safe Places Where Your Kids Can Search the Internet. 15. Downloading Do's and Don'ts. What's a Computer Virus? What Kinds of Viruses Are There? Keep Your Kids Safe with Anti-Virus Software. Top Tips for Avoiding Viruses. Uh Oh! Your Kids Have a Virus. Now What Do You Do? Backup, Backup, and Backup. Oh, and Did I Mention Backup? What You Need to Know About MP3 Music Files. Other Potential Problems with Downloads. 16. Playing It Safe on America Online. What Kinds of Dangers Do Kids Face on America Online? Protect Your Kids with Parental Controls. What to do If Your Child Has Been Harassed on America Online. Kids' Safety Tips on America Online. A Few Final Words to Parents. IV. PREPARING YOUR KIDS. 17. Setting Guidelines for Your Kids. Your Best Line of Defense: Good Parenting. First Things First: Talk with Your Kids. Have Your Kids Agree to These Rules Before They Go Online. Take the Parents' Pledge. The Time Crunch: How Much Time Should Your Kids Spend Online? Above All, Have Fun. 18. Teaching Netiquette to Your Kids. Why Bother to Teach Your Kids Netiquette? Oh, Behave! Netiquette Rules Kids Should Follow. Yackers Away: What Your Kids Should Know About Chatting Etiquette. Get the Message? Netiquette for Kids on Message Boards. 19. Finding Law Enforcement When You Need It. Law Enforcement on the Internet. Who You Gonna Call? 20. Kid-Friendly Places on the Internet. Finding the Fun. Sites for Learning and Exploring. Homework Help on the Web. Sites for Hobbies and Crafts. Sites for Parents. Glossary. Index.