The same security procedures apply to both adults and children. (See, How can I protect my personal information when using instant messaging?)  You can also discretely monitor your children from time to time while they are chatting. Be sure to explain why you are keeping an eye on them. It is also worth setting limits for using instant messaging, notably in terms of time. It is important to explain why it is dangerous to create contacts with people they do not know and teach them safe online practices .