How to keep kids safe on the internet

These days, it's all too easy for kids to get in over their heads online. (In fact, it can happen to grown-ups too. Ever try to connect to the White House site and realize a second too late that you didn't end the address with .gov?)

Norton is helping parents out by offering a free trial of Norton Online Family. If you head over here and sign up for a free trial, you will also be entered in a drawing for an iPod touch.

Key Norton Online Family features include:

Simple, One-Time Set Up: Create an account online and customize each family member's profile based on age and maturity level.

Easy to Use and Access: Check a child's activity or modify a child's profile, preferences, or time allotment anytime and anywhere using any Internet-connected device.

Clear Reporting: All activities are reported in chronological order and only show the Web sites a child intended to visit - eliminating all the extra URLs, like ads, from Web sites.

Helpful Search Insight: Easily view what words and phrases a child uses to search and where those searches lead online.

Convenient Web Site Control: Control the Web content that flows into the home by prohibiting more than 40 topic categories.

Secured Personal Information: Track, report and prevent personal information that a child may purposely or accidentally try to send via e-mail, IM or social networking site.

Access to Social Network Information: Monitor activity on social networks like Facebook and MySpace with the ability to see how kids represent themselves, when they login and how often.

Real-time Messaging: Built-in messaging allows parents to have real-time discussions with children about activities and better understand their intentions when visiting a Web site.

True Transparency: Children are able to view the "house rules" they established with parents at any time and are notified when Norton Online Family is active, so there is no "stealth" mode.

Custom Alerts: Parents can customize e-mail alerts to address urgent events so they know immediately when a child has reached a time limit or visited a blocked site, etc.

Useful Time Management: An easy-to-use time management feature that - if parents find it necessary - gives each child a "curfew" that will limit computer usage.

Thanks to Norton and Mom Central for offering the chance to participate in a free Sneak Preview of Norton Online Family!