The Smart Mom's Guide to Protecting Kids on the Internet

You don't need me to tell you the Internet can be a scary place. From human trafficking and child predators, to less threatening but still unsettling child role playing rings, there are plenty of reasons to be cautious about letting your kids have freedom on the web. Likewise, it's equally important to be careful with what information we share as parents about our children online.

While it may be tempting to just ban Internet access until our kids leave for college, this isn't the most practical approach in a world where research reports start in elementary school, and things like apps make parenting a little easier when we need a break. Accordingly, if you're not going to keep technology out of reach, it's best to be educated about the threats out there and take a mindful approach to letting your kids interact with the virtual world.

Ready for a crash course in savvy parenting when it comes to technology? Click ahead.