Keeping up with your kids can be a challenge in an Internet world. Those technologies that help people connect Web surfing, online chatting, instant messaging, blogging and more can expose your children to inappropriate content or people who might want to take advantage of them.

But parents don't have to unplug the computer or be Internet gurus to protect their children, says Kristen Johnsen, senior director for security outreach at Microsoft Corp.

"Even if parents can't tell a blog from a wiki, new technology safeguards and online resources can help them take more control of their children's Internet use and create a safer online experience for the entire family," Johnsen says.

And the Internet itself can offer some free help for parents, with many Web sites specializing in safety tips and programs. Indeed, Microsoft is offering dozens of pages of free online safety guidance and resources online on its Web site at www.microsoft.com/athome/security.

One couple, Triva and Toby Hazelton, looked to these free online resources and the advice of friends to create strict Internet rules for their children. Courtney, 12, and Taylor, 10, can send and receive e-mail and instant messages, but only with friends that the Hazeltons know. They can use the Internet, but only pre-approved sites and only when mom and dad are home.

"We also talk openly and often with our kids about the threats on the Internet," Triva Hazelton said. "We want our kids to think independently and know we won't always be able to control their Internet use, so we want them to feel comfortable telling us if something online makes them uncomfortable."

Here are some other safety tips from the experts at Microsoft:

Set clear rules for Internet usage. Prepare children for the online world just as you would for the real world. Establish guidelines and know who they are communicating with and what they are seeing online.

Keep personal information private. Don't share personal information about yourself online such as your name, address, age or gender with people you don't know in the real world.

Consider PC proximity. It might make sense to place the family's computer in a common room, especially for PCs that don't have family safety software installed. Parents are able to provide supervision and guidelines more easily this way.

Keep communication open between parents and children. When kids see something on the Internet that makes them feel uncomfortable, assure them they can talk to a parent or other trusted adult about it without fear of getting their computer privileges taken away.

In addition, family safety settings in many popular technology products such as Xbox 360, Windows Live and MSN Premium provide security tools to help block objectionable Web sites, control who corresponds with children, and guard against online attacks.