The simple fact is that the Internet is teeming with predators. If you have children, Internet safety should be a first priority. The dangers are vast and real, but there are some good ways to ensure that your child is safe online.

I admit that I have trouble with the idea of barring my kids from the Internet. And I get it, that they will want to use the Internet with privacy sometimes. Monitoring my kids' on-line activities is not even feasible for me, even if I didn't think it was a bad idea to micro-manage or completely restrict my children's on-line time.

My main tactic is setting up house rules for the Internet. I monitor after-the-fact, using internet history options on my browser. If I find the rules are broken, then I start restricting as well as educating them more.

So my advice to parents is to proceed with complete transparency. Teach them the dangers, don't just restrict them. Start by trusting in your child's ability to watch out for themselves. And if they discover something new about human nature, be prepared to give that talk earlier than you expected. Communication is key to good parenting.

It's not just about pornography dangers and other unsavory ideas, after all. Children can also be tricked into giving away home addresses, financial information and photographs. Stalking still happens, every day.

By being upfront with our children, they can learn the real dangers, as opposed to hazy warnings that "are for your own good."