How to Protect Students (and Parents) from the Dangers of the Internet

The Internet connects us all. It's a powerful tool that has changed the way we do business and relationships. But there are also few dangers as threatening or as overlooked.

Recently students at both Rutgers University and Duke University brought the danger to the forefront. At Rutgers, a student tragically committed suicide after his roommate splashed private details of his life across the Internet. At Duke, a student marred her own reputation through an offensive joke e-mail that spread virally.

For students in college, now is the prime time to take control of their online presence and beware of the risks that millions of people - students or otherwise - make every day. Consider the following tips yourself, and encourage your student to take action as well:

Blog carefully. Blogging and commenting on other blogs can give you credibility, market yourself or a business and help you network. Your college student may wow prospective employers with an established online presence within a community or industry. However, personal and unprofessional blogs or comments are just as easy to find. Keep this rule of thumb in mind to limit blogger's remorse: Don't say anything online that you wouldn't say to your boss or professor over lunch.

E-mail with tact. While your inbox might easily bury e-mails and send them into the Internet abyss, they're still timeless and virtually indestructible. Anything you e-mail can be forwarded, posted, read aloud or even held as proof in court. Be especially wary of the "Reply to all" option. A joke response intended for your friend might not go over so well with the 20 unintended recipients who received the original e-mail.

Understand the Facebook privacy policy. Depending on your privacy settings, your personal pictures, Facebook wall and even contact information could be viewed by anyone who searches for your name. On Facebook, click on the "Account" tab at the top, and choose "Privacy Settings." Get familiar with the setting options, and know what is on your page and who can see it. Check out this detailed run-down on controlling your settings.

Sign up for Google Alerts. Other students, prospective employers or complete strangers have a world of information about your student at their fingertips. Just "Googling" someone's name will bring up what he's said online and what's been said about him. By signing up for Google Alerts, you can receive an e-mail every time Google indexes anything with your name or key words, so you know everything that contributes to your online presence.

The Golden Rule. Besides these tips that will protect yourself or your student, remember to treat others with respect and consideration, thereby protecting their online identity as well. Slander, vitriolic comments and posting embarrassing pictures can be all too easy behind the safety of a computer screen. By understanding the power and reach of the Internet, you and your student will also understand the weight of each blog comment or e-mail.