For kids, the internet is not just for fun. It's fast becoming an indispensible tool for learning and socialising.Unfortunately it can also be a haven for explicit content, as well as a hunting ground for online bullies and predators. 

It's important to keep your children away from all this, so iDom has some tips for you.First, it's a good idea to limit the amount of time your kids spend online. Younger children shouldn't need to spend hours a day on the Web doing schoolwork, and the more time they're online the more likely they are to stray into inappropriate sites and content.Kids seven years old and younger don't need more than half an hour daily, and older kids probably don't need more than an hour and a half or so of online leisure time each day.  

Talk to your kids about their internet use, so you know where they go and what they like to do online. Let them know you can track their Internet activity if you can. If they are aware you're interested it may deter them from activities they know are inappropriate.

For younger children, create shortcuts to their favourite sites so they can access them easily and are less likely to come across unsuitable ones looking for them.

If young kids are chatting to others online, block communications from anyone not on an approved list. Make sure you know the offline identities of the people your children are chatting to. Discourage your children from using screen names that might reveal how old they are, or names that might attract unwanted attention.

Be aware that interactive games and networked consoles, like Xbox Live, allow users to go online and chat with people.Ensure your children check with you first before giving any personal details out online and don't allow young kids to make posts to public sites without your supervision.

Block peer-to-peer technologies - which connect PCs and allow file-sharing between them, and teach them not to download anything without your permission. Filter or block image searches - as these can be a way around content filters.Make sure you know the family account password and your kids' passwords.

Bullying can and does migrate to the online world. It's a good idea to Google your child's name, screen name, your address and telephone number from time to time to check for any reference to them on the Web. This will catch any bullies posting, for example, your child's mobile number.With a free account at google.co.nz, you can also set up an alert that will automatically send you an e-mail if your child's name is picked up by Google. That way you can see what other people are saying about them.

Webcams are great for keeping in touch with friends and family, especially those that live far away, and you can also use them to check in on your kids if you're away from home. But they're not completely secure.Make sure your children don't use webcams in their bedrooms or in any other location that might identify who or where they are. Supervise your children if they're using a webcam and turn if off when it's not being used.