As parents, it’s not always possible to be looking over your child’s shoulder at every moment he or she is on the computer. The Internet can be a scary place today and it is important that your child learns at a young age how to navigate the World Wide Web in a way that is careful and responsible.

Also, under the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) -- the law that governs the collection and use of information on children under the age of 13 -- Web site owners, with very few exceptions, must obtain “verifiable parental consent” before they can collect personal information children.

Below, the FTC provides five tips* for parents who have children surfing the Web.

Look for a privacy policy on any Web site directed to children.

The policy must be available through a link on the Web site's homepage and at each area where personal information is collected from kids. Web sites for general audiences that have a children's section must post the notice on the homepages of the section for kids.

Read the policy closely to learn the kinds of personal information being collected, how it will be used, and whether it will be passed on to third parties.

If you find a Web site that doesn't post basic protections for children's personal information, ask for details about their information collection practices.

Decide whether to give consent.

Giving consent authorizes the Web site to collect personal information from your child. You can give consent and still say no to having your child's information passed along to a third party. Your consent isn't necessary if the Web site is collecting your child's e-mail address simply to respond to a one-time request for information.

Decide whether to approve information collection from your kids based on new uses for the information.

Web site operators will let you know about the need for new consent by sending you a new notice and request. They will do this when they are changing the terms-of-use of the information in a "material" or significant way.

Ask to see the information your child has submitted.

The site will ask you to verify your identity to ensure that your child's information isn't given out improperly.

Understand that you may revoke your consent at any time and have your child's information deleted. To stop a Web site from collecting additional information from your child, you can revoke your consent. You also may ask a site to delete any personal information it has already collected from your child.

Tips accessible via the Federal Trade Commission Web site at: 

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/edcams/kidzprivacy/adults.htm