Have We Been Here Before?
Some Basic Rules
Setting Up to Go Online
Alternatives to a Home Computer
How Can You Find Good Places to Go and Things to Do Online?
How Can You Keep Your Child Safe Online?

Have We Been Here Before?

Fifty years ago, in 1946, there were 6,000 black and white TVs in the entire country, mostly in well-to-do homes. Three years later, in 1949, there were three million TVs, and in 1951 there were 12 million. Today, more Americans have TVs than have telephones.⁹

Fifty years ago, people argued whether TV was a tool or a toy: would it just provide mindless entertainment or teach our children and bring the world closer together? People had asked similar questions about the radio, movies, the telephone, and even the telegraph in the 1840s! Today, they're asking the same kinds of questions about computers and the information superhighway.

But the answer is always the same: it isn't the technology. It's the way people use the technology that makes the difference.

A lot of people believe that television could have been much better for children if parents had gotten involved back in the 1940s and early 1950s, letting the networks know what they wanted for their children. If you want the information superhighway to be something other than home shopping and video games, now is the time to GET INVOLVED! The third Chapter of this Guide, Classrooms and Communities Online, will give you some idea of how to do that.

Some Basic Rules

For most parents who are just starting with computers there's a simple rule: concentrate on experiencing the new technologies—not necessarily understanding them. You don't need to understand electronics to get cash from an automatic teller machine. You don't have to be able to build a car to drive one. You don't need to understand all that makes up a computer to see how your child will use one.

A quick trip to an electronics store, a public library, or an Urban League office can introduce you to computers, a wide variety of software, CD-ROMs, and online networks. People here are used to working with beginners. Once you begin to experience cyberspace, as the online world is called, it gets much easier to navigate.

Do Your Homework

Learning and playing with new technology can be integrated into your everyday life. When you go to the mall spend ten minutes with the computer display in the toy store or electronics store. Ask your school to set up a parent night or weekend so parents can see and learn. Ask teachers or librarians where in your community you can go to use a computer connected to the Internet.

Learn With Your Child

Computers can offer one of the best, most fun, and most challenging journeys that parents and children can share. Remember, studies show parental involvement is an important ingredient for educational success. Your goal is to learn and experience as much as possible with your child—and make it enjoyable.

Be a Good Guide and Monitor

Your job (just like in other areas) is to explain, guide, make the rules and enforce them, and keep the whole thing focused on positive learning and fun. One of the best things about this new frontier is that it gives you rich, new opportunities to learn and play together with your child. Here are some tips:

Side by Side: You can help your child have a positive and balanced experience with the computer. The best approach is to start the process together. Set aside a regular time to work on the computer with your child. If he or she has had computer experience, let your child take the lead. It can be a great boost for self-confidence—at least for your child! Ask your child to explain what he or she is doing and why. Go down the highway—together.

Talk with your child about what students are doing on computers at school, whether you have one at home or not. Ask to see what they have created on the computer. And invite friends—yours or your child's—to join in, too.

The Time Factor: Since you and your child are already strapped for time, perhaps the first place to look is television time. Family, friends, homework, school, and outside play are all very important for the healthy development of children, so try to shift TV time to computer time. (This shouldn't be that hard: studies show that children who use computers watch less TV.)¹⁰

Monitor Computer Time: Keep the computer in a family area rather than in a child's room—at least to begin with. Keep an eye on the clock, and watch the phone and credit card bills (that's where charges for commercial online services or purchases show up). Check in regularly on what your child is doing.

Setting Up to Go Online

The number of parents who are purchasing computer equipment is growing. Eighteen million homes had modem-equipped computers in late 1995, compared to 11 million just one year earlier.¹¹ And more than one in three of the computers used in American households was bought in the past two years.¹² Schools, too, are getting computers and going online at a fast pace.

This section is a basic primer on buying computers and going online. The information can be used by parents who are helping equip their school or community center or who are setting up at home. The next Chapter of this Guide, Classrooms and Communities Online, has further information about getting involved with technology at school.

Get Ready Before You Buy Equipment

Remember, you don't need to understand every technical aspect of computers in order to be a good consumer. Think about the telephone. How many people understand how the telephone actually works or keep up with the newest devices? Like the telephone, the important thing to learn with new technologies is the basics—how technology can help your family spend time together, find and gather information, and communicate, create, and learn.

Handy Tips

• Use common sense and have fun: the goal is to get the best equipment—to get what you most need, at the right price.
• This is a major purchase, but think of it as both a piece of equipment and an investment in an information and skill-building resource for the school or family.
• Visit computer stores—more than once—and ask lots of questions to figure out what equipment enables you to do what you want.
• Check with the Technology Coordinator for your school or school district to find out whether they have special recommendations or know about bargains for schools.
• Remember to ask about possibilities for upgrading the equipment and the need for ongoing maintenance.
• Ask friends and co-workers to describe their experiences and recommend computers (if you can get the same equipment a friend has, you can share learning tips and experiences).
• Visit your library to try out a computer or to find information about purchasing computers.

What's Involved in Setting Up to Go Online In order to "get connected," you will need: A computer (including a screen, called the monitor; a keyboard; and a mouse, a small device attached to your computer by a cord, which lets you give commands to the computer). Software: most of the internal operating software comes with computers, but you may want to ask about word processing, Internet connection software, and other educational or recreational products. A modem, which connects you to the online world (can be built in or external to your computer). Connections: Phone or cable line, an Internet service provider, and a browser. Blocking devices—either through the online provider or commercial software. Options (CD-ROM, printer). See the Glossary for definitions of these terms.

A Word About Used Equipment

Some experts caution against buying used equipment while others feel it can provide a good first experience with computers.

If you go that route, you ought to exercise the same caution you would in buying a used car. Also, many older computers and other hardware are slower and might not provide a satisfying experience online, but might be great for starting out with software that doesn't involve going online. If possible, try to bring along a knowledgeable friend or acquaintance who can help make sure you get the equipment you need.

Going Online: Selecting an Online Service

In addition to the "hardware," you will need a service to connect your computer to the online world. The commercial services (like America Online, CompuServe, Microsoft Network, Prodigy, and others) can be a good first experience for new online travelers because they are designed for beginners, and they offer information that is attractive to families. Many of these services offer a free trial period so you can shop and see what you like.

For their base monthly fee (usually between $10 and $20), commercial services provide between five and twenty hours of online time per month. The services also charge an hourly rate for time spent online above your monthly allotment—which adds up quickly.

Those parents with more time, patience, or experience might choose to get connected to the Internet at a generally much lower cost through an ISP (Internet Service Provider) which can be found in most communities. Call your local telephone company, computer store, or local library and ask for a list of providers.

Some areas of the country are also served by Freenets. These are nonprofit online access providers, often government-subsidized, which provide online services like e-mail, and sometimes Internet access as well. Freenets are typically set up in libraries and community centers. Some are free, others are provided at a reduced cost.

Dealing With Costs

What will it cost for you to get online? At this time, the average cost for new equipment is between $2,000 and $5,000—though equipment that will let you go online can be purchased for $1,000, and costs are coming down. With used equipment, the cost is less. But getting online still isn't cheap, so many parents will want to find libraries and other places in the community that offer access to computers for free.

Companies are beginning to find ways to make equipment available to more people at a lower price. One of the major changes on the horizon is the development of the so-called Internet Box, which is expected in the coming months. This is a device intended only for online access and will not have all the features of a personal computer. It is expected that these devices will retail for under $500—bringing the cost closer to that of a television.

Keeping Up: Costs and Changing Technology

While technology is changing rapidly, the best attitude is to simply dive in when it is convenient for you. There will be no perfect moment or one right way to get started. Make the time, price, and level of equipment fit you.

Alternatives to a Home Computer

For the many families who cannot afford to buy a computer and go online or choose not to for other reasons, finding alternatives is the only realistic option for getting their children on the information superhighway. Although community access to online services is still extremely limited, resourceful parents will find that more schools and libraries, after-school programs, community colleges and universities, and community centers are beginning to offer online access. In very rare instances, schools actually let families sign out computers, and a few housing facilities have put in computer resource rooms.

Your local library provides a wealth of information about the Internet and how families can make the best use of this exciting new media. According to the American Library Association, libraries in most metropolitan areas and many smaller communities (more than 45 percent) now offer public access to computers and the Internet. The goal is to have every library online by the year 2000. In addition to online catalogs and reference service, many libraries offer classes for parents, children, and others in how to navigate the information superhighway. The best part—all you need is a library card. And librarians are at hand to provide assistance. For more information, call, visit, or log on to your local library or contact the American Library Association (See Resources section).

Though there is no one place in every community to find out where public access is offered, other good places to ask include:

• Your county office of education or school district office;
• The local community college;
• Your local Urban League; or
• Your local PTA.

The day when access to the information superhighway is as available as public telephones is a long way off. And some of the institutions mentioned restrict access and time of use—and, in some cases, charge fees. But by being persistent, parents can find resources in the community. In addition, they can document the lack of adequate equipment and let elected officials and corporate leaders know what is needed.

How Can You Find Good Places to Go and Things to Do Online?

Wonderful adventures are waiting in cyberspace. In fact, somewhere between 300,000 and half-a-million sites exist on the World Wide Web alone, with more being added each day.

Good Places to Go and Things to Do Online

There are several ways to get started finding good places to go and things to do online. A number of magazines, newspapers, and organizations publish their "best picks for kids" of Internet sites.¹³ These can be useful resources, but keep in mind that sites frequently change their content and location, so review recommendations with care.

Also remember that these publications usually don't distinguish between sites that are commercial and those that are not—an important distinction, since the commercial ones contain advertising and marketing devices, some of which might be inappropriate for or exploitative of children. We suggest beginning with sites that are well-known, noncommercial, and educational.

Since experimenting for yourself is the best way to get started online, we have picked a few activities and sites that are fun, educational, and safe. Once you have experimented with these, you can move on to explore the wider range of options available online.

1. Visit the Library of Congress at http://www.loc.gov. Some of the most exciting things at the Library of Congress are the online exhibits—allowing the user to view an art collection or see a special event that is taking place at the Library. While the Library's site is mostly text-based and very good for research of various kinds, its graphics of exhibits are amazing. The site also provides a great beginner's guide to the Internet—more information than most people will ever need, but very thorough and useful.

2. Take a White House tour for kids at http://www.whitehouse.gov/WH/kids/html/home.html. The White House tour for kids is one of the most enjoyable things a young child can do online. With a very child-friendly, colorful, and easy-to-navigate layout, the cyber-tour gives a great deal of history and information on the White House and U.S. government in a fun, informative manner.

3. See what the space agency, NASA, has put online at http://spacelink.msfc.nasa.gov. Perhaps best suited for older kids, the NASA site contains information on all of the space agency's programs, an online library for research, and exhibits on recent space phenomena, such as the comets, Hubble Telescope, MIR, and the Galileo spacecraft. If you are interested in the Space Shuttle, there are special pages for all of its missions, including information on weather, orbits, a tour, and a special countdown page. Parents and teachers will find this site truly educational.

4. Visit exhibits from the San Francisco interactive science museum, the Exploratorium, at http://www.exploratorium.edu/learningstudio/. The Exploratorium contains online exhibits that are changed and updated regularly. They are broken down into age categories, so there is something for all children here. Much of the material on the site is on the cutting edge of Web technology. If you have a slow Internet connection, some of this may take a long time to download. Memory tests, optical illusions, audio and video samplings, and a host of experiments to be done online and at home provide hours of educational fun.

5. See what is happening in your backyard or around the world with Internet Weather Resources. There are many weather sites on the Web, and a number of them are listed at http://cfal165.harvard.edu/weather.html. Choose one of interest to you and your child, then see radar images, space photography, current conditions, and the forecast for nearly anywhere in the world.

Check out some useful information for yourself

6. The National Parent Information Network (NPIN), at http://ericps.ed.uiuc.edu/npin/npinhome.html, provides information to parents and those who work with them and fosters the exchange of parenting materials. Materials reproduced in full on NPIN have been reviewed for reliability and usefulness by trained specialists in child development. NPIN also provides lists of publications, brochures, and other materials for parents.

7. The National PTA at Children First! on the Microsoft Network at "go children" or their web site at http://www.pta.org, has a wealth of valuable resource information for parents, teachers, and child advocates. It offers extensive archives of PTA materials on a wide variety of relevant topics, e.g., parenting skills; leadership development; nurturing creativity; HIV/AIDS education; parent and family involvement issues; legislative issues; links to other PTAs and related child advocacy organizations; links to PTA membership development resources; and many more. Children First! also features an online celebration of PTA's 100th Anniversary.

8. The National Urban League, at http://www.nul.org, is a useful resource for tracking programs and events related to African-American issues. In addition to its virtual library, the site gives information about its affiliates and activities in 114 cities. It is a rich reference area for students, parents, teachers, and history buffs.

9. The Benton Foundation, at http://www.benton.org, will tie you into broader efforts to improve the conditions of children across the country, to improve public policies, and to work effectively with the media. In addition to guides for working with the media, this site provides information about election-year activities, links to organizations that work on policy issues, and volunteer opportunities.

10. Children Now, at http://www.dnai.com/~children/, is a good resource for keeping abreast of children's issues and getting involved in advocacy. It includes useful links to other resources as well as volunteer opportunities.

Parent Internet Overview

To help you plan some explorations, here's a useful navigation map for parents and their children, called The Parent Internet Overview. It provides a simple framework for categorizing places on the Internet of interest to families. As you explore online and find places you like, you can turn this overview into a more personalized guide for your family.

Parent Internet Overview
Category	Description	Sub-Categories
Kids' Services	Online and World Wide Web services that provide safe, recreational games and activities for children ages 4-11.	Kids' Games & Activities Kids' Clubs Kids' Publications
Teen Services	Chat groups, digital publications, and activities for teens ages 12-16.	Teen Games & Activities Teen Cyberzines (online magazines) Teen Clubs
Student Services	Educational activities for learning both at home and in the classroom.	Reference Resources Academic Subjects Virtual Explorations Commercial Educational Sites
School Connections	School sites for teachers by grade level, including directories of schools on the World Wide Web.	Preschool Elementary School Middle & High School School-to-School Links
Parent Information	Information for parents to learn more about themselves and the Internet.	Family Services Parenting Resources Parental Discretion on the Net
Public Interest	Community organizations and public policy initiatives for parents on the Internet.	Organizations/ Associations Public Policy Initiatives Services for the Community
Special Interest	Web sites designed for cultural exploration and children with social needs.	Multicultural Sites Disabled Children Sites

How Can You Keep Your Child Safe Online?

The online world mirrors the real one: it includes the good, the bad, and the ugly. And, just like the real world, different parents have different standards for what they want their children to experience. This section is intended to give you a briefing on what you need to know to steer your child to safe, productive, and legal time online. It tells you:

• How to manage the information that children see and hear;
• What the legal and ethical rules of the road are; and
• How to teach children safe traveling online.

Parents in Charge

Parents are increasingly aware that certain information online is not appropriate for children, or is appropriate only for certain ages. Most parents have strong feelings about what their children should be exposed to and are concerned about how easy it is to get to information online. Parents worry about materials that are sexually explicit, violent, racially biased, and overly commercial.

The good news is there are now several ways for parents to limit where their children can go online and who can contact them. These technologies and services have limitations and are evolving at a fast pace, so parents need to be alert.

At this time, there are three major ways parents can attempt to restrict the material a child experiences online:

1. Use a Commercial Online Service That Offers Parental Control Features. Probably the simplest blocking devices to use—and therefore a good start for a parent new to the online world—are the parental control features offered by commercial online services like America Online, CompuServe, Prodigy, and Microsoft Network. These services provide parental control mechanisms, and they have guidelines for appropriate behavior on their service. Moreover, many of these services have monitors who periodically check on behavior. Users who break the rules can, at a minimum, lose online privileges.

Parental control features you might want to look for in deciding whether to use a commercial service and in choosing among them include:

• Clearly marked areas for children—with plenty of high-quality material that will keep a child engaged and that is screened for objectionable content.
• A clear set of rules for appropriate online behavior.
• Parental ability to block out discussion groups, chat rooms, and other areas that might contain objectionable material.
• Parents' ability to screen their child's e-mail.
• The blocking device's ability to control Internet and Web access through the commercial service.

2. Install Your Own Parental Control Software Product. There are now a range of parental control software packages that you can purchase and install. Blocking devices can cover Web sites, newsgroups, and chat channels, among other things, and some allow parents to tailor restrictions. Some work with commercial service providers and some are for direct Internet access. Here are some of the approaches that different products use:

• Some allow a parent or program to block out a specific online site or sites by name. The downside is that the number of sites is vast and constantly changing, so it is virtually impossible for a parent to keep up. However, some parental control programs give the user a regular update of sites and allow parents to choose which ones to block.
• Some blocking programs identify undesirable sites by searching for unacceptable words before allowing a child access. This list is updated periodically, and parents can purchase or subscribe to the ongoing updates.
• Some devices can also block entire categories of material such as those deemed suitable for adults only. Parents can enter a key word and block whole Internet features and destinations.
• Other software actually prevents children from giving out personal information online. This can be helpful for safety and to protect against exploitation of children.
• Still other devices restrict the time of day and duration of children's online sessions, and make certain areas of the Parents' hard drive inaccessible.

Some Blocking Devices You Can Buy*	Below is a list of some of the products on the market, including the names and phone numbers for ordering guides. Cyberpatrol: The product's retail price is $49.95. Call 1-800-489-2001 for information; http://www.cyberpatrol.com CYBERsitter: Retails for $39.95. Call 1-800-388-2761 for information; http://www.solidoak.com Net Nanny: Retails for $39.95. Call 1-800-340-7177 for information; http://www.netnanny.com/netnanny SurfWatch: Retails for under $49.95. Call 415-948-9500 for information; http://www.surfwatch.com
Be Sure to Find Out:	Whether the product has the protection features you are looking for; Whether the product can be used on the type of computer you have; Whether there is a subscription fee after you've bought the product; and Whether the product works on commercial service providers, only on a direct Internet connection, or both. *Information as of 7/22/96. Prices and contact information change frequently.

3. Use PICS (Platform for Internet Content Selection). The World Wide Web Consortium, an industry consortium which develops common standards for the Web by producing specifications and reference software, is backed by many of the biggest online commercial companies. The Consortium has created a new way to help parents discern and restrict content for children. These "online protocols," called PICS, create a common language for labeling material on the Web. This means that different organizations, such as religious, civic, and educational groups, can issue ratings or guidelines (a labeling system) that a parent can use. This feature enables parents to use guidelines prepared by the organizations they trust. This new technology, along with guidelines from organizations, is expected to become more available. For further information, visit the Web site of the World Wide Web Consortium at http://www.w3.org/pub/WWW/PICS or call (617) 253-2613.

Other promising new products are under development, such as a v-chip for online activities. This new generation of devices could give parents even more effective options for controlling what their children have access to online.

A Commercial Message

The Internet began first as a Defense Department network and then served as a university and research-oriented network. Most commerce is new to the Internet and no one is sure what commercialism online will ultimately look like. What is clear, however, is that advertising and marketing pitches directed at specific online users are laced throughout the Internet. And children are a special target because marketers recognize that young people like using this medium and are often the family's pioneer. So, developers of software, video games, and commercial products sold online are creating a great deal of information aimed directly at kids to get them to purchase goods and services.

• In 1995, children under age 12 spent $14 billion, teenagers another $67 billion, and altogether they influenced $160 billion of their parents' spending.¹⁴

• According to a recent report from the Center for Media Education, online advertisers are now targeting children as young as four, and a significant number of companies are online now, using marketing and advertising practices that are potentially harmful to children.¹⁵

Parents and other consumers are used to telephones and television—media that have been regulated over time. In these media, there are certain restrictions on advertising, especially ads aimed at young people. However, many of the traditional protections afforded children—such as limits on cigarette and alcohol advertising—do not clearly apply in cyberspace. In addition, the distinctions between advertising and content that exist in traditional media are absent in cyberspace. This makes the job of protecting children from inappropriate marketing new and potentially difficult.

There is early evidence that advertisers are using online interaction as a way to collect children's names, addresses, and other marketing information.¹⁶ As marketers race to find the best way to create one-on-one pitches to consumers, there is a special need for parents to be alert to the need to protect their children's privacy.

Parents need to be aware of the commercialism online and decide how they want to limit their children's exposure.

Safety Tips for A New Medium

Although rare, there have been incidents where individuals have used the Internet to contact children and young people with the intent of harming them. Just like teaching a child to drive a car, you need to provide your child with some tools to help him or her stay safe. The common sense rules about caution with strangers apply just as strongly in cyberspace as in playgrounds or parks. This chapter will help you teach your children the important rules of the road.

There are several simple rules of safety that you and your child should agree on before going online. It might be a good idea to post these right by the computer.

Who to Call if You Have a Problem With Behavior Online

If you or your child are the victim of harassment or other trouble online, contact your commercial or Internet service provider immediately. Commercial online services have strict terms of service that help protect you and your child in the event you encounter offensive behavior. Offenders can have their accounts terminated, and service providers usually will cooperate with authorities when there is the possibility that a crime has been committed.

You can also call The Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which offers materials and assistance for parents whose children are at risk (see Resources).

Your Child's Best Online Guide—and Best Protection—Is Always You

Your involvement in your child's online life is always the best insurance you can have of his or her safety. The most reliable strategy is to set aside a time each day or each week when you do online activities together. Learn with your children about fun things to do as well as about what to stay away from—that makes you a partner in the experience, rather than a resented censor.

The Law Online Many laws that pertain to information in other forms like books and magazines or television may apply in cyberspace, but have not yet been tested. Although the law is changing and lawmakers are struggling to find ways to regulate this challenging new medium, some rules do apply. In some cases, you or your child could inadvertently run into trouble with the law, including prosecution, prison, and fines for breaking the law. Here are some basic guidelines about frequently asked legal questions. Refer to the Resources section for updated and more extensive information. Copyright Copying photographs, music, stories, films, and other artistic works is not allowed online without obtaining the proper permission from the owner of the copyright. Typing a story from a magazine and distributing it or scanning a photograph for posting is illegal unless you obtain permission from the original publisher. However, many photographs and graphics have been approved for public use (they are considered "public domain"). And, in cases where permission is needed, it is often made easier online by an e-mail link to request permission. Copying or Distributing Software Copying and distributing most purchased software is illegal. Although virtually all software is copyrighted, some programmers make their software "public domain" which means it can be copied or shared for free. Unless the software is marked as "shareware" or "freeware," it is a violation of the law to upload or download software online. Privacy E-mail is generally afforded privacy rights if it is sent between individuals. Information or messages posted to a public location are not considered private. Children should be aware that no legitimate service provider will ever request information about them. Some private systems will request your address or phone number so that you can be added to a mailing list. This is not illegal, but there is no obligation for your child to give the information. Hacking It is generally considered illegal to access or attempt to access a private information system. This is called hacking. Children will explore the Internet—that is what it is there for. They should be warned that if they ever encounter a private system that asks them for a user ID (or userid) and password they should leave the site immediately. Obscenity This is a very complicated area. However, parents should remember that materials they might consider obscene or objectionable for their children to see may be protected by the First Amendment and not considered legally obscene. Under current law, anything that is legal in print is generally also legal on the Internet. However, the government has special rights to protect children from exploitation. The production or sale of child pornography in any medium violates federal law. In addition, commercial online services have the right to restrict access to obscene or indecent materials on their systems.

Right and Wrong: Ethics Online

In addition to the law, parents ought to know about the special ethical issues that come up with this new technology. The interactive, seemingly anonymous nature of the online world raises old ethical questions in new ways, especially for children. Because the online world can feel "pretend" to a child, it is very important that a parent articulate and reinforce the importance of basic values (ethics) such as truthfulness, responsibility, and respect. Children need a careful explanation of what is acceptable behavior and why, and they need to know what exceptions, if any, are permissible.

Parents can use the "new" situations that come up online to reinforce basic standards of conduct and talk about values. For example:

Is it all right to download software programs that are available at some online sites?
Only when the source of the information gives you explicit permission to do so. Stealing information is like stealing other things. It's wrong and illegal.

Can I take information off the Internet and pretend that I created it?
No. It is both wrong and illegal to take information that you did not create and represent that it is yours. Many words and images are protected by laws, so pay careful attention to which ones are. It is important to report who or what the original source is.

Is it all right to pretend to be somebody else when you're online? (Can a boy pretend to be a girl? Can children pretend to be older than they are?)
The online world allows you to create a special name that you can use, and helps children go online with a degree of anonymity. However, pretending to be something you are not in a way that deliberately misleads others who are presuming you are truthful is not all right.

It is important for you to talk with your children when these kinds of questions come up. They provide one of your best teaching tools. Since you're learning too, take the time to really discuss the tough questions and help your child to be a good citizen in cyberspace.

Etiquette Online: "Netiquette"

"Internet etiquette," called "netiquette," is also important for children and their parents to understand. There are widely accepted rules of behavior to follow when you're online, including (but not limited to):

• Don't TYPE ALL IN CAPITAL LETTERS for emphasis. IT LOOKS LIKE YOU'RE SHOUTING. If you need to emphasize a word, use asterisks, like *this.*
• Be polite. When you enter a chat room, wait awhile to find out what people are talking about before you participate. Be patient with newcomers.
• Be careful not to use rude or bad language online. Many providers will terminate your account.
• Be yourself. While it's tempting to become a new identity, netiquette means being yourself and letting others get to know you.