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1.) Participation — unlike classroom settings, you can’t just “show up” and expect to pass the class. An online class is a community, and as such all are expected to participate. Discussion posts, opinions and feedback should be thoughtful and well-articulated so that everyone can enjoy a fun learning experience. 2.) Procrastination — do not wait until the last minute to do your work! Taking an online course means working with technology, and sometimes it can fail you. Work ahead of schedule so that any problems can be taken directly to the instructor for help, without losing time. 3.) Sharing — ideas, opinions and experiences should be shared with the whole community. Classmates may post questions on the Discussion Board, which you may be able to answer. Don’t keep information to yourself; in a community, everyone works together for the good of the whole. 4.) Proofread – before you press the SEND button, think about what you have written; you can’t take it back! A response to a classmate, a discussion post, an email to the instructor, make sure that you have said what you meant and that you mean what you said! 5.) Express — classmates and teachers cannot “see you”, so you have to be clear. Sarcasm, concern and other emotions are lost in an online environment if there is not enough information to back the statement up. 6.) Feedback — give feedback to your classmates and be open to theirs. Online classes function best when everyone is involved in the learning process. 7.) Respect — do not put down anyone’s ideas or thoughts, also state your own opinion in a way that is not hostile or overwhelming. Respect your classmates and they will respect you! 8.) Caution – be careful about statements that may come off as derogatory, racist or inappropriate for the classroom setting. If you wouldn’t say it in person, don’t say it online. 9.) Cheating – treat the class like an in-room course. Do not cheat, it only hurts your learning opportunities. 10.) Work hard! — to get the most out of it, you’ve got to put your best into it! Work hard and achieve results!

Don't give your real name on gaming sitesBest not to have anyone on your IM (instant messaging) list that you don't know in the real worldYou can block people in IM and chat areasBest not to meet people you meet online, they might not be who they say they areTell an adult you trust if an online friend asks to meet youReport a contact to CEOP if you think they might be an adult

Talk About It Talk with your kids about the Internet, and encourage them to see it as a shared, open environment in which they have social responsibilities just as they would in any physical environment.With open discussion, you can set expectations about the behavior you expect from them, curb negativity and discourage behaviors such as secrecy, boundary-pushing or thrill-seeking. You can also emphasize that online safety is something you care about and will continue to examine.Keep in mind: Enjoy the Internet along with your children, and discuss the ways in which it brings value into your lives.Stay open to your kids' questions, and encourage them to share their Internet experiences with you without fear of punishment about what they read, see or experience.Discuss how to safely interact online with others, why kids should stay away from certain types of content and individuals, and that Internet rules are there to protect kids. Teach children to trust their instincts, and to come to you if something or someone online makes them feel uncomfortable or threatened. Stay calm and remind them that they are not in trouble for bringing issues to your attention. Praise their discretion.As kids get older, keep family communications about the Internet as open and positive as you can. Talk with your kids about their online friends and activities just as you would talk about other friends and activities.

Set Rules for Internet Use Lay out rules for Internet use, setting clear expectations for your kids' online habits. A good set of rules should include things like the amount of time kids are allowed to be online, what types of content are appropriate and who it's okay to chat with as well as proper online conduct and good Internet citizenship.Keep in mind: The most successful rules are those that are created collaboratively. Work with your kids to draw up an online family safety contract that the whole family can agree to and sign. Discuss the rules frequently. Remind them that the rules are in place to protect your family, and that strictly maintaining privacy online can lower the risk of being targeted by online predators. Tell kids that following the rules and keeping communications open will allow them to gain freedoms as they get older. Let them know that you will reevaluate the rules over time. You can reinforce the rules you set by enabling restrictions on your PC. Windows Live Family Safety lets you set parameters that can limit Internet searches, monitor and filter specific websites, receive detailed activity reports of your child’s online activities, and let you be in control of who your child can communicate with in Windows Live Spaces, Messenger, or Hotmail1.

Balance Time Online Maintaining a balance between entertainment and other activities in kids' lives can be a serious challenge. The Internet has made it even more difficult, as the lines between entertainment and education are often blurred. Modeling a healthy balance between your online and offline activities is a great way to encourage children to do the same.Keep in mind: Enforce rules about the amount of time your kids may spend online, and the hours they are allowed to go online. Help your kids develop self-control, discipline and accountability regarding Internet use. Use parental controls in Windows 7 to limit PC time. Set up individual user accounts to determine how much computer time children have and what hours of the day they are allowed to use the PC, as well as which programs and games they can access.Encourage and support their participation in other activities — particularly physical pastimes with other children. If your child is reluctant, look for offline activities that tap into the same interests your kids pursue online. Watch for signs of Internet dependency. If Internet use seems excessive or begins to affect your child's school performance, health or relationships, consider professional counseling for Internet addiction.

if you have a blog, forum, or website and you use your real name, any information that you post about yourself could be picked up by potential employers later on.