In virtual communities, using chat rooms and Instant Messenger, children and young people are able to make new friends without the limitations of physical boundaries. Hence it is easier to make friends with strangers than with your neighbours. It is important to learn, no matter what the circumstances, that they should not disclose their real name, telephone number, and address. When your children ask to meet their net-friends, your guidance is very important. Children tend to decide to show up based on first impressions. Ask them to take precautions regarding the person they are going to meet and where they plan to conduct the meeting. Meeting in a public place like a library or a restaurant is much safer than somewhere remote or quiet. The watchful eyes of parents or friends can also be a tremendous help in thwarting a predator's plans.

You, as parents, must bring "spoofing" to your child's attention. Identity thieves may pretend to be you and send out computer viruses attached to e-mails of which you are entirely ignorant. To verify to your recipients that an e-mail message originates from you, it is a good practice to add a digital signature to your e-mail messages.