(CBS) Without question, today's young people are spending more time online than ever. It's really their medium and they're growing up with it.

In a recent Roper Starch study, 25 percent of parents said their children were coming online as early as age 2, with that number increasing to 60 percent by age 6.

So, on The Saturday Early Show, Regina Lewis, AOL's online adviser and author of the best-selling book "Wired in a Week," has some tips to help keep kids safe online this summer.

A terrific Webs site to refer to is getnetwise.com There, you're one click away from reviews of blocking software, suggestions on managing your child's online experience, and tips on how to report your concerns to local law enforcement.

Here are some good common sense rules to keep in mind.

Tip 1: Be Involved: There's no substitute for parental involvement. Ask your kids: "Show me your favorite sites." "Who are your online friends?" Seek the same information and ask the same questions as you do when you want to know where they go and who they hang out with after school.

Also, knowing what your kids are doing online in your own home is one thing, but parents should also know what their kids are doing online when they go to a friend's house during the summer. They may want to go online at a specific home because the computer doesn't have an online timer or parental controls. The message to parents? Get in touch with your kids' best friends' parents to collaborate on computer safety tips and rules.

Tip 2. Make Technology Your Friend. Take advantage of built-in resources like AOL Parental Controls, which allow you to determine the level of access you want your child to have. There are Email controls, which are terrific for younger kids. You don’t have to worry about what's going to be in your child's mailbox, because if it's not from authorized people, your child is not going to get it. You can even chose to block all Email to your child's account. This is the maximum level of control.

Blocking software (price range approx. $20-$40) that can be purchased online and at your local computer store works much the same way - different means to the same end. In technology terms, it's called a firewall and it's as if you've created a gated community that precludes children from exploring online areas that may not be age appropriate. Third-party experts are used to develop the age-appropriate settings. You may select one level of access for your 6 year old and another for your 16 year old. Either way, you're in the driver's seat.

Tip 3: Review the Rules: Think how many times you remind your children to look both ways before crossing the street. Now, how may times do you tell them not to give out personal information to strangers online? Given the amount of time children are spending online these days, it's critical to continue to reiterate some basic online Dos and Don’ts.

Here are some of the biggies:

• Don't give out personal information like your full name or address, anything that could help a stranger track you down offline. Never send a digital photo of yourself without your parent’s permission.
  
  
• Never agree to meet someone in person without talking to your parents. This is a biggie, because this is when things can get dangerous. It's critical to make sure this one is crystal clear. Draw clear lines.
  
  
• Never respond to bad or threatening language. Instead try to report it to your online service provider or Web site and always tell your parents or teacher immediately. In short, don't pick a fight or fight back. Young boys tend to be culprits here.
  
  
• Never go into a new online area that is going to cost additional money without first asking permission from a parent or teacher. Do not give out a credit card number online without a parent present.

Tip 4: Make an Agreement with Your Child: Many families have found that hammering out online "rules of the road" together goes a long way toward helping children get constructive experiences on the 'Net. One approach is to have a family discussion and draft an Internet Use Agreement. Some families print and post the contract by the computer, others elect to have both parents and children sign the document.

Tip 5. Use Time Management: There are online timers that limit the amount of time your children spend online. So, for instance, if you set the time range between 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., your child will not be able to sign on before 3 p.m. or after 9 p.m. This allows a parent the flexibility to really tailor his child's online time.

Tip 6: Don't Overreact: You want your children to come to you if something happens online that doesn't seem right or makes them uncomfortable. An important part of ensuring that lines of communication remain open is not to overreact if something does go wrong.

For instance, if your child receives an Email from someone trying to sell him something, you might use it as an opportunity to talk about how important it is to understand who you're dealing with online and to never give out personal information. Banning the computer is probably an extreme reaction and experts say it may prevent your children from telling you about other incidents for fear you'll take away their online privileges.

Tip 7: Move the Computer: Even if you know nothing about computers, consider this simple tactic. Move the computer to a central location in the house, maybe the kitchen or the family room. That way, you can keep an eye on the screen.

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