Your children probably have their own e-mail accounts. Keeping those accounts kid-friendly isn’t simple. They could receive the same inappropriate spam messages you get. Or, online predators could contact them.

You don’t have to take away their e-mail accounts. But you should be supervising them. Don’t give in to protests for privacy. You should know their address and passwords. You can even help them set up the accounts.

There are a number of kid-friendly Webmail services to choose from. These will give you different levels of control over the account.

Webmail built for kids

AOL has a child-oriented Web portal. It’s called KOL. It has lots of games, video and music for kids. KOL also has Webmail. It allows you to approve messages and set time limits. And you can also determine with whom they are allowed to communicate.

KOL’s Webmail is free. But you’ll have to help your children set it up. You’ll have to enter credit card information to prove you’re an adult. Your card will be charged and then credited a dollar.

ZooBuh is another kid-oriented Webmail service. It allows you to intercept all incoming e-mails. Children won’t be able to see any messages until you approve them. You’ll also get copies of outgoing messages. You can also set time limits on their e-mail use.