Net Cetera: Chatting with Kids About Being Online

FTC and FCC release parent guidebook on online safety.
In December, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Federal Communications Commission (FCC released a new parent guide designed to help parents on talking to their children about how to navigate the online world safely and responsibly.

Net Cetera: Chatting with Kids About Being Online is published by OnGuardOnline, a public-private coalition consisting of more than a dozen federal agencies, including the FCC, the FTC, and the Department of Education.

The 54-page guide, available also in Spanish, covers a wide range of topics, including social networking, cyberbullying, sexting, using mobile phones safely, and protecting the family computer.

Net Cetera fills a critical need for parents in that the use of new technologies by children is outpacing the ability of parents to understand these innovations, much less teach their children how to use them wisely. This guide can help parents understand the latest trends and learn practical tips for communicating with their children.

Net Cetera is available online at http://www.onguardonline.gov/pdf/tec04.pdf and on the FCC’s site. (Search for “Net Cetera”) The booklet can also be ordered in quantity at www.ftc.gov/bulkorder.

Paper copies have been distributed to schools, law enforcement agencies, and community groups around the country. Organizations are encouraged to use all or part of this public document in their newsletters or on their websites, reprint it with their own logo, or co-brand it with OnGuardOnline.gov.