Many of us at Pure Networks have children. We're all interested in their safety and worry about them no matter where they are - at school, at a friend's house, at work - doesn't matter, when they're "out there," we think about them. In today's world of computers, now we have to worry about them even when they're safe at home because even if they're within the confines of our homes, they can still be "out there" on the Internet. Network Magic can help by monitoring what your kids are doing online, giving you peace of mind without having to stand over them as they use the computer.

I used my first computer in college (yes, I'm that old) and thought it was the coolest thing ever. As I passed through different companies and computers got more and more accessible, I became a die-hard computer user and bought one for myself. Years later, when I had children, I vowed they would learn to use the computer at a young age and become proficient users who were not afraid it as my parents and many of my siblings were. So when my kids could barely reach the desk, I bought early reader programs, games where they fit virtual shapes into virtual containers, counting games, and the like.

Now, as young tweens and middle schoolers, they are indeed proficient computer users, and I'm wondering if that was such a wise choice! They want to be on the computer A LOT to window shop, play online games, and email friends. My daughter's math book is on a CD-ROM, so she uses the computer every day to do her homework. And if she misses a day of school, the class notes for that day can be accessed online from her teacher's Web site. All wonderful things, if those were the only things kids do online.

As most parents know, there are scary things on the Internet. Things such as chat groups with predators, unwanted pop ups to inappropriate sites, gambling sites, sites to purchase prescription drugs, the list goes on. And even seemingly harmless places such as many social networking sites hold dangers. Online bullying and hurtful gossip happen every day, often blindsiding children before they know what happened.

So what's a parent to do to keep their child safe? We want to trust our kids and let them make their own decisions, but kids may not be aware that who they're talking with on the Internet may not actually be a "13 year old boy from Oregon who likes skateboarding and the Jonas Brothers." It may be someone else. And really, as parents, who has time to stand by their child every time they're on the computer and monitor what's happening. (For sure your child won't like it!) Even if we could, sites come and go every day, so chances are, there's a new site your child is hearing about at school this very moment. How can you monitor what you don't know?

The Network Reports feature in Network Magic can help. It monitors computers in your home and emails you a report each day showing the Internet sites visited. The report can be sent to any email address, so you can get the reports even if you're not at home. This helps in two ways: it shows you what sites your child is visiting, and educates you to the new sites your child visits as they appear. This takes care of the "how do you monitor what you don't know exists" problem. If your child is visiting a new site you've never heard of, this provides a way to know.

The Network Reports also show the time of day the computer was in use. So if you set specific times for your child to use the computer for surfing and IM'ing with friends, you can monitor that it's being adhered to. The real benefit of using Network Reports to me is it lets my children have some freedom when using the computer. They know that I'm "watching" them via Network Reports. So they take responsibility to follow our online surfing rules, and I don't have to stand behind them as they use the computer.

Here are some more tips for Internet safety from KidsHealth:

• Become computer literate and learn how to block objectionable material.
• Keep the computer in a common area, not in individual bedrooms, where you can watch and monitor your child.
• Share an email account with your child so you can monitor messages.
• Bookmark your child's favorite sites for easy access. One minor typing mistake can take them from "Legos" to "Legs," with drastically different results.
• Spend time online together to teach your child appropriate online behavior.
• Forbid your child from entering private chat rooms; block them with safety features provided by your Internet service provider or with special filtering software. Be aware that posting messages to chat rooms reveals your child's email address to others.
• Monitor your credit card and phone bills for unfamiliar account charges.
• Find out what, if any, online protection is offered by your child's school, after-school center, friends' homes, or any place where he or she could use a computer without your supervision.
• Take your child seriously if he or she reports an uncomfortable online exchange.
• Forward copies of obscene or threatening messages you or your child receives to your Internet service provider.
• Call the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at (800) 843-5678 if you are aware of the transmission, use, or viewing of child pornography online. Contact your local law enforcement agency or the FBI if your child has received child pornography via the Internet.