We want our children to be technically savvy and use online resources for education and entertainment. We know children need to be comfortable navigating the digital realm to succeed in a world without boundaries. We also want them to be safe in cyberland. But the fact is a high percentage of parents do not have a clue what their children are doing online, and many children are not safe on the Internet.

A recent article in eSchool News reporting on a multi-country survey conducted by Internet security giant Symantec Corporation noted some particularly worrisome findings. For one, parents grossly underestimate how often their children encounter online indiscretions, such as receiving requests for personal information, being approached by strangers, and experiencing cyber pranks or bullying. And no surprise, the children report spending 10 times more time online than their parents think they spend online. Shockingly, only about half of the parents have spoken to their children about Internet safety.

Opinions on how to ensure safety online vary. When CNET.com asked its readers how they keep kids safe online, the answers varied dramatically. Get rid of Internet service and cell phones in the home all together; keep computers in central locations to easily monitor usage, and unconditionally (without punishment) encourage children to ask questions about anything they see on the Internet.

We teach our kids how to cross the street safely and how to make toast without burning fingers. But we do not teach them what is and is not appropriate in a boundless virtual world. It is high time we add lessons about the online dangers lurking behind every visit to the Internet.

A good source of Internet safety advice is The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which provides Kid’s Rules for Online Safety with 10 suggestions regarding personal information, downloading files, password safety, and communicating with parents. I particularly like Rule No. 10, in which the child promises to help her or his parents have fun and learn new things online. Now that’s a great way not only to monitor online activities but also to share and learn from the experience.