TIPS For Families

Written by: Maureen Burson, Extension Educator
University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension

I want some quick information on helping my teenager buy a car. My two-year-old is a picky eater. What should I do?  How do I teach my kids about money?  How do I get my kids to do chores?

Technology has dramatically changed the way families access information over the past decade.  In some families, the Internet is a primary source for quick answers.  Seventy-five percent of U.S. households have Internet access at home (February 2004 Nielsen/Net Ratings Survey).   The amount of resources generated through a single Internet search can be overwhelming.  How do you know what to believe?

How do you recognize an “information Web page” -- whose purpose is to present factual information?  The URL address typically ends in .edu or .gov and is sponsored by educational institutions or government agencies.

Here are some questions you may ask yourself about a Web site to determine the reliability of the information.  The more you answer “yes”, the more likely you can determine if the sources provide high quality information. 

•   Is it clear who is responsible for the contents of the Web site?  The site’s sponsor should be reputable and unbiased.  Does the site include information about the author or the sponsoring agency?  Is contact information on the site?

•   Is the purpose of this site to educate?

•   Is the site objective?  Is it free of advertising?  If there is advertising, is it separate from the educational content?

•   Does the site indicate dates when the material has been updated?  Are there other indications that the site is kept current?

•   Is the information easy to read and understand? 

For more TIPS for Families, go to unlforfamilies.unl.edu. Let us know how you used this information by clicking on the TIPS Feedback Form at the bottom of this page.