San Francisco — Like radio, movies and TV before it, the Internet has raised concerns about its possible negative impact on children. To help address these concerns, the American Library Association is launching a new campaign to help parents help their children be “webwise” in connection with the Supreme Court ruling on the constitutionality of theCommunications Decency Act.

“It’s natural for parents to have concerns, but technology isn’t the problem. It’s how you use it,” says Mary R Somerville, president of the 57,000-member association and director of the Miami-Dade County (Fla..)

Public Library. “The most important thing parents can do is to teach their children to make wise choices.”

The American Library Association has published advice for parents titled “The Librarian’s Guide to Cyberspace for Parents and Kids. The guide includes a selection of “50 Great Sites for Kids” recommended by children’s librarians. The brochure and Web sites can be found on the association’s Web site along with award-winning booklists and other helpful information for parents at http://www.ala.org/parentspage/greatsites. The collection of “great sites” will be updated and expanded on an ongoing basis. A free copy of the brochure also is available by calling 800-545-2433, ext. 5044/5041.

“It’s important to remember that the vast majority of Internet sites offer valuable opportunities for learning and

entertainment,” Somerville explained.

She noted that the ALA Web site provides links to educational and entertaining sites, including the Children’s Television Workshop, online home of the Sesame Street characters; libraries, museums, and special interest sites on topics popular with children such as dinosaurs, castles, sports and wildlife.

Some 75 percent of public libraries now offer public access to the Internet, according to statistics released this week by the Public Library Data Service of the Public Library Association, a division of the American Library Association. The number is up from 23 percent in 1995. Only about 20 percent of American households are

connected to the Internet.

Somerville noted that many public, school and college libraries offer computers, classes, Web sites and other useful Internet resources for parents and children. And librarians now review and recommend good Web sites in the same way they would good books and other materials.

“The Internet is the most exciting tool for learning since the printing press,” Somerville said. “We want to encourage people to take advantage of this valuable resource and the help available from libraries and libraries.” She offered the following tips for “webwise” parents.

Take time to learn about the Internet, the wealth of educational resources it offers and how to use it wisely Explore

cyberspace with your children. Talk with them about what they are seeing and doing. This will give you an opportunity to express your point of view.

Provide clear guidelines. Let your children know there are subjects or areas that you prefer to be off limits and

explain why.

Teach children “netiquette” — how to behave online.

* Rules like not typing in all capital letters (it looks like you are shouting), being polite, and keeping quiet in chat rooms until you get a sense of what people are talking about are good manners as well as common sense.

*Learn how to evaluate Internet sites. Most public libraries provide books, magazines, brochures and other materials with recommended sites and guidelines.

1. Review sites yourself to determine if they are appropriate for your child. Bookmark sites on your computer that you have reviewed and given your child permission to visit.

2. Teach children “safety” rules for dealing with strangers online such as never giving out their full name, address or telephone number; never giving out a credit card number; or arranging to meet someone online without your permission.

3. Ask a librarian. Librarians have always been expert at selecting print materials for children of varying ages,

interests and abilities. Today they are applying those same skills online. They are there to help you and your child.

Based in Chicago, the American Library Association promotes the highest quality library and information services and public access to information. The association was the lead plaintiff in a suit challenging the constitutionality of the Communications Decency Act on the grounds that it violated adults’ right of free speech and did not

effectively protect children.

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