Microsoft Corp. has launched "Stay Safe Online," a new Web site to promote safe Internet surfing habits by children and their parents.

Stay Safe Online emphasizes how children can protect themselves while talking to other people online, with the help of a tutorial hosted by Olympic ice skating gold medalist Tara Lipinski and Los Angeles Lakers basketball star Shaquille O'Neal.

Microsoft produced Stay Safe Online in conjunction with Boys and Girls Clubs of America.

When a child enters the site, they are presented with a 15-minute tutorial on Internet manners, responsibility and precautions, complete with hip background music and a sports-related theme.

Children are told never to give out personal information about themselves or anyone they know, for any reason, while they are online. They are also warned never to meet a person they have spoken with online, and to never send their picture to anyone with whom they’ve spoken with online.

Stay Safe Online also tells younger surfers they must exercise the same precautions they use when speaking to someone in person, and to get their parent’s or supervisor’s signature when filling out online forms. After the tutorial, children receive Stay Safe Online certificates if they correctly answer all of the questions to a safety quiz.

According to Microsoft, "Stay Safe Online promotes education, adult supervision, and technology as the three keys to ensuring that kids have positive experiences on the Internet."

The program is in response to a Microsoft-sponsored study that found parents are concerned their children will visit inappropriate Web sites or make inappropriate contact online. Many of these parents also are unsure what tools and policies are available to help guide and regulate their children's Internet experience, according to the survey.