According to a Quebec Léger Marketing poll, 79% of parents say they have told their teenage children about the rules for Internet use in the home and discussed the rules with them, but only 64% of teens say that such rules have been established.

When there are no firm guidelines, teenagers may engage in dangerous behaviour or misuse the Internet, especially 15 to 17 year olds. Regardless of how old your kids are, it is important to talk to them about the threats they'll might be confronted with and set clear rules for their use of the Internet.

It is a good idea to discuss the following points:

• How much time they spend online
• The sites they visit
• Sharing personal information and photos with strangers
• Safe use of the webcam
• The danger of meeting Internet acquaintances in real life

You can then draw up an agreement with your child about his or her use of the Internet. This signed agreement should be posted in a common area. Discussing the rules and the reasons for them regularly is one of the best ways to make sure your kids are safe on the Internet.

You could use this online code of conduct model or write your own, depending on your needs.

Here are some possible consequences for breaking the agreement:

• Losing a privilege
• Not being allowed to use the Internet for a specified period
• Finding another activity to replace the time normally spent on the Internet
• Doing a chore
• Writing an apology to a person he or she bullied
• Confiscating an object he or she cares about (e.g. Walkman, iPod, etc.)
• Postponing an eagerly awaited outing (e.g. La Ronde)
• Revoking a permission previously granted but not yet used

Here are a few ideas for activities to reduce the time your kids spend on the Internet:

• Going out with friends or people who have similar interests
• Going to see a movie
• Reading a science-fiction novelGetting involved in a community organization
• Signing up for a physical activity
• Starting a small business
• Finding a job
• Taking part in extracurricular activities at school