I have four kids.  And I know that when kids are home during the summer, they spend a lot more free time wandering the web, hanging out in social networks, playing games, etc.  Without rules, guidelines, or time limits, the hours online slip into days and weeks. The challenge is that kids sometimes get into trouble unknowingly in these many digital playgrounds.

And, as a parent, I know that parents are sometimes overwhelmed by new technology, a variety of social networks, and multiple mobile apps available. On the other hand, kids are keenly aware of all of these things and seem to be plugged in.  Most importantly, like me, most parents don't have enough time to keep up and to keep track.

Two tips for summer:

1) Put a filtered web browser like Net Nanny on a child's computer and mobile device. A filtered browser makes browsing safer.

2) Get a social network monitor like Net Nanny Social to monitor a child's friends, pics and activities in the most popular social networks: Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Pinterest, Instagram, and Google+.

Parental control software tools such as these allow mom or dad to put protective measures in place to help in the ongoing monitoring of a child online.

Most kids are inherently good, but they are not aware of consequences when sharing too much info online; they may be too trusting of "friends" who they don't really know, they might be drawn into dark places within a few clicks of the mouse, they might be getting bullied and don't know how to ask for help.

Help them.  Protect them.