When Barry Young and his co-workers at the Pennington County Sheriff's Office give presentations to parents about the Internet, they liken it to a city.

Like a large city, the Internet has plenty of good stuff to offer. But also like a city, there are places on the Internet that most people don't want to go. And definitely places that kids shouldn't visit.

"You'd never let a kid just roam a city by themselves," said Young, an investigator with the Rapid City/Pennington County Computer Crime Unit.

That doesn't mean that Young recommends parents outlaw the Internet for their kids. Instead, he suggests that parents talk with their children. Know what they're doing online. Learn as much as they can about the Internet, about MySpace and other social network sites. Talk to their kids about the dangers.

"The biggest thing is communication with the kids," Young said.

In a recent survey by the U.S. Department of Justice of 1,500 kids, about 33 percent of those ages 13 to 17 said their parents know "very little" or "nothing" about what they do on the Internet.

At the same time, 71 percent said they have received a message online from someone they didn't know, and 30 percent have considered meeting someone they only knew online.

About 14 percent actually met with a stranger they met online.

When teens receive messages online from strangers, 40 percent said they usually reply and chat. Only 18 percent reported that they would tell an adult.

"I think parents have a pretty good general understanding of what is possible," Young said. "But I don't think they have an understanding at all what their kids are doing on the Internet."

For instance, parents may have seen their teen's MySpace page, but they don't realize that their child has two other pages at other sites. While the MySpace site may be benign and safe, the other pages may divulge too much personal information that puts their teen at risk.

Young said parents can help their children by learning as much as they can about their kids' Internet activity. Ask to see what photos and messages they have on their cell phones. Look at their MySpace pages and ask about other sites. Talk about the dangers of talking with strangers.

"Parents just need to be educated so they know what they're looking at when kids show them," he said.

Young also suggests that computers be placed in a busy place in the house. Don't allow teens to have access to Internet in private areas, such as their bedrooms.

When it comes to social networking sites, Young believes parents should also set some age limits - probably at least age 15.

But no matter where the computer is placed or what age limits a parent sets, the most important thing is the communication between parents and teens. Young said his training has taught him that one of the biggest reasons that kids are easy victims for online predators is their curiosity about sex. Kids want to know about sex. If they aren't given that information at home, they go elsewhere to find it. Often, it's on the Internet.

"Parents just need to take the time to talk with their kids and not be afraid of what their kids are going to tell them," he said.

Lynn Taylor Rick is a Journal staff writer. Contact her at 394-8414 or lynn.taylorrick@rapidcityjournal.com.