It seems like everywhere you look nowadays, there's another story about how the Internet has failed us. There are tales concerning everything from viruses and spam to money scams and predators. As if that weren't enough, the latest trend of social networking sites, such as MySpace and Friendster, has definitely compounded our children's vulnerability when it comes to the online world.

In the spirit of not throwing the baby out with the bath water, YOU Magazine conducted a search for some "family friendly" websites. The good news is we found quite a few, starting with a rather unusual website. Did you know that the Internet has its own version of the Oscars? It's called "The Webby's", and it's held yearly to honor the best websites in a myriad of categories. For information on previous winners as well as this years awards, go to www.webbyawards.com. Here are just a few of the websites that are deserving of our kudos–and possibly your attention.

Educational & Reference
www.mbayaq.org – The Monterrey Bay Aquarium is world-renowned for its dedication to our oceans, and the website which bears its name doesn't fall short. This site is great for the marine biologist in all of us, complete with a live shark-cam. It is definitely a must see!

www.nationalgeographic.com – If you are a fan of the magazine, the website may be even better. The site index boasts articles, maps, and resource materials on everything from geography and history to travel and shopping. This is a great website with something for everyone.

www.scholastic.com – Scholastic, the global children's publishing and media company, has developed a website for children, teachers, parents, librarians and administrators. Dedicated to reading and learning, the website offers games, activities, lessons, books, etc.

Living & Shopping
www.epicurious.com – This is a wonderful website for any home chef. It's run by the same company who produces upscale magazines like Bon Appetit and Gourmet. The site boasts 20,000+ recipes and comes complete with a food-term dictionary and the ability to conduct world-wide restaurant searches.

www.epinions.com – This website will not only save you time but money as well. Perfect for the online shopper, the site allows you to search for specific products and sorts them by vendors offering the lowest price. In addition, the website posts consumer reviews of most products.

www.bluemountain.com – When it comes to ecards, personalizing email, creating stationery and cards, this site has it covered. Some features do require a membership but many are free. Each membership comes with two free accounts for you to give away to family and friends.

www.gocitykids.com – If you're traveling to a major US city with children in tow, this is a great place to begin your adventure. Focusing on 20 of the most popular destinations, the website allows you to search for all things kid-friendly, from outdoor adventures and restaurants to childcare and lodging.

Money And Finance
www.fortune.com – Brought to you by Fortune Magazine, this is a great website that contains the publication's articles (both current and archived) as well as informational resources and useful tools.

www.investors.com – This site is the web-based version of Investor's Business Daily. When it comes to the stock market, it doesn't get much better.

www.morningstar.com – This is a solid website when it comes to the stock market and other forms of personal finance. Log on and you'll gain access to investing tools, guidelines for retirement and tax planning, as well as saving for college.

Health & Welfare
www.intelihealth.com – Created and run by the Aetna Corporation, this site has set out to "empower people with trusted solutions for healthier lives." It includes complete information on diseases and disorders, a comprehensive medical dictionary, and the latest information on living a healthy lifestyle.

www.babycenter.com – Whether you are a new parent or are about to become one, this website may just be your best friend. It boasts a due date calculator, a baby name guide, a pregnancy calendar to track your baby's development, links for shopping, and bulletin boards covering a range of subjects.

www.findlaw.com – This is a great website for finding the answers to thousands of legal questions. It also provides sample forms and contracts that are sorted by region.

Fun & Games
www.shockwave.com – If it's games you want, check out shockwave. The site has hundreds of free online and downloadable games. As with any site of this nature, you'll want to be sure to familiarize yourself with the games to make sure that they're appropriate for your child.

The list of great family-friendly websites doesn't end here. The Internet is a phenomenal resource which can provide a wealth of information and entertainment, as long as it is used with care!