What is the Internet?

• The Internet is a network of computers from all over the world. Businesses, governments and people share information on the Internet. The Internet has new information every day. To read information on the Internet you need a program such as Internet Explorer or Netscape. In this workbook, we will use Internet Explorer.
• There is usually a lot of information on a web page. You don't need to read all the information. Look for the big words or color words – these are usually the important words.
• Companies buy advertising space on web sites. Most web sites have a lot of advertisements. It is easy to click the wrong place and go to another web site. Be careful where you click.
• The Internet can be very slow. Sometimes it takes too long to connect with a web site. If this happens, go to the next activity. Don't wait more than a few minutes.
• Web sites change often and some disappear. If this happens with the web sites in this workbook, just go to the next activity.

Safety on the Internet

• You must be careful when you are connected to the Internet. There is a lot of good information on the Internet, but there is also some bad information. If you go to a web site that you don't like, leave that web site and go to a better one.
• Be very careful about giving personal information on the Internet. The Internet is usually not private.
• Be very careful about giving your credit card numbers on the Internet.
• Watch your children when they are on the Internet.
• You can get computer programs to stop children from going to places on the Internet that are not good for children. There are some children's Internet safety addresses at the back of this workbook.
• There are no shopping or banking web sites in this workbook. People must be very careful when doing shopping and banking on the Internet.