Instant messaging (IM) is a form of Internet communication that combines the live nature of chat with the personal contact of email.

Some of the benefits of IM include:

• Talking in real time with family and friends
  
  
• A much safer environment than chat rooms since you only have people you know on your list
  
  
• For kids who are shy or socially ill at ease, IM can be a wonderful communications tool.

However, there are drawbacks to instant messaging:

• If kids aren't careful during the sign-up process, anyone will be able to contact them.
  
  
• Most IM software allows users to create a personal profile of themselves, with information such as name, age, email address, home address, phone number, school and hobbies. This information is then made available to any IM user on the Internet.
  
  
• Some IM programs offer users the option of joining in chat rooms with strangers.
  
  
• IM can encourage negative interaction if kids use it for gossiping and bullying.
  
  
• Kids can receive pornographic "spam" through their instant messaging program.

Safety guidelines for instant messaging

Protect your kids' privacy during the registration process
When your kids register for instant messaging software, sit with them and make sure that their authorization is required before anyone adds them to an IM list. As well, discourage them from filling out the "personal profile" that some programs ask users for—this information is made available to other users, so young people should never use this option. (For more information on protecting your privacy when registering for instant messaging, see Filling Out Online Registration Forms.)

Help your kids create their own user list
Know who's on your kids' IM lists, and what lists their names are on. Kids should only approve people for their IM lists if they know them in the "real world." Check your child's list regularly to make sure that strangers haven't been added.

Make sure the IM software they use doesn't offer access to chat rooms
Many IM programs offer access to chat rooms where users can talk to strangers. One popular program offers a link to chat rooms right on the opening screen—even if users opted out of the chat option when they registered. To avoid this problem, check your IM program carefully to make sure you can block access to chat rooms; and make sure your kids know that they're off limits.

Teach kids never to share their IM user names and passwords with others, online or in the non-virtual world
Kids often share their IM passwords with friends, which can easily led to account misuse. Remind your kids to choose passwords that can't easily be guessed by others. Random combinations of letters and numbers offer the best protection against password theft.

Report pornographic junk mail to the instant messaging service provider
Even if your child's IM program have been configured to accept only messages from people on the contact list, she or he may still receive "spam," or junk mail—even pornographic spam. Use the "Ignore" function to block that sender in future, and report the spam to the service provider. Because this is a frequent problem with some IM programs it's not recommended that young children use instant messaging.

Disable any file-sharing options
Most IM programs offer a file sharing option that allows users to download files to your computer's hard drive. However, serious viruses can be sent to your computer this way. If your child wants to be able to receive files from friends, make sure that the file sharing settings are configured so that you have to give your permission before a file can be downloaded to your computer.

Use the resources on the right-hand side to learn how to reduce the risks associated with instant messaging.