Psst, parents: Here’s how to make the web safer for kids

How's this for irony: while it's the parent's job to protect their children, it's the kids who know more about where they're spending most of their time: on the Internet.

Understandably, many parents feel helpless because of this "digital divide." But common sense and smart software can help protect the ones you love.

The following are a few tips to get you started.

Location, location, location: Rather than placing an Internet-connected computer in a child's room, keep it in a central location in the home, such as a kitchen, family room or any other highly-trafficked area. Kids can feel independent while surfing online but not be "alone." Yes, kids might be online via smartphones and tablets, too, but you can restrict certain areas of the browser in the Settings area, secured by a password, if you're concerned.

Super software: Filtering software might help reduce the odds your young children will end up on inappropriate websites that contain pornography, hate propaganda, unmonitored chat rooms, and more. Many of these programs, such as Symantec's Norton Online Family or Net Nanny, are free to try before you buy, and include filters for social networks, instant messaging (IM) programs, and more.

Mentoring, monitoring: Explain to your kids why it's so dangerous to give out their address, phone number or other personal information, such as where they go to school (or upload any photos that might reveal this info, too). This applies to social networking sites, too, where kids might not think twice about what they're sharing publicly. Insist your kids add you as a friend -- if you promise not to embarrass them -- so you can a digital eye on them, too.

Remember the time: Set limits on the amount of time children spend online. Along with the ability to block certain websites and receive reports on your child's surfing habits, Windows 7 also lets parents control how much time kids are spending on the Net, such as allowing two hours a day, say, from 5pm to 7pm. The Xbox 360 also has time restrictions in the settings area, if you find your kids can't stop playing Call of Duty, Minecraft or other addictive games.

What happens online, stays online: Remind your kids that they should never meet online "friends" in person. Explain that online friends might not be who they say they are. Just as you wouldn't get into a car with a complete stranger in real life, nor should you ever agree to meet someone face-to-face you "met" online. (Anecdotally, a 12 year-old boy at my daughter's school befriended someone on Facebook who claimed to be the same age -- when he met the stranger, presumably to buy an unlocked iPhone, he was in his '50s.)

Make it a family activity: Parents of young children shouldn't let them surf the Internet unsupervised, experts say, as it's not too difficult to stumble upon an inappropriate photo or video. Surfing together can be a fun family activity for kids, but remember to select "safe search" options in search engines, like Google, to avoid any unwanted surprises. Also, see tip no. 1 about keeping the computer in a high traffic area of the home.

Be aware of cyber-bullying: Just as some kids can fall victim to bullies in a school playground, cyber-bullying can be a problem in an online world. Talk with your children about it, and if they're a victim, contact the school's teacher or administrator to issue a formal complaint. Don't delete the message as they may be needed to take action, but instruct your child not to write back.

Game on!: Inappropriate video games might be a concern of yours, so before you buy be sure to read the ESRB's recommended player age in the corner of every box. Plus, you can read specific examples of what's in the game at the ESRB website. Also, remember kids might be exposed to bad language or behaviour while playing online games as Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 multiplayer games support live chat via headset microphone.

Yahoo! readers, do you have any tips to share to ensure your kids are safe online?