Upgrading to high-speed Internet in your home so that you have access to fast Internet services brings the world to your computer screen, but if you have children under your roof, you want to be sure that the unsavory elements present on the Internet don't also come to your house. It's important to establish an open line of communication with your kids about their Internet usage — this will encourage them to alert you when they inadvertently stumble across something that they shouldn't have seen. Additionally, you should always use a variety of simple strategies to limit the risk of your children accessing things that they shouldn't. Here are some ideas to adopt.

Place Your Computer In A High-Traffic Area

Children might feel more inclined to be mischievous online if they're on a computer that is in their room, down in the basement or otherwise a considerable distance from where you and your spouse spend much of your time. It's a good idea to set the computer up in an area with lots of traffic, such as the corner of the dining room, living room or kitchen. While you don't want the location of the computer to cause distractions when your child is working on school projects, keeping it in these areas will allow you to consistently monitor each child's online activities.

Insist That Passwords Are Shared

Make a rule that if your child is to create an online account, he or she must provide you with the password. This will allow you to log into the accounts at your discretion to ensure that your child isn't being sent offensive material or cyberbullied. For example, if your child enjoys online gaming, he or she might create an account and play with virtual friends. However, some people in the online gaming community act in a predatory way, sending offensive messages to other gamers. If you notice any such issues, you can report the users to the site's administrators on the child's behalf.

Set Restrictions On Your Browser

Accessing the "Options" or "Settings" tab on you browser will allow you to filter out specific content that you don't want your children to see. For example, you can set the filters to block sites with nudity or other adult content, material that is violent, pages that contain excessive profanity and more. This step will still permit your child to do his or her browsing, but will decrease the risk of the child seeking something inappropriate or being exposed to it inadvertently.