Harris Poll Surveys (located at harrispollonline.com) is a unique online survey company that is one of the few companies open to minors at who are at least 13 years of age. This is a good opportunity for your internet-addicted teenager to do something at home while listening to music on the internet. It also insures privacy; no personal data will be stored in the “cookies.” It’s a safe site for young and old alike, although only one membership is allowed per household.

The rules for joining Harris Poll Surveys are simple – be honest. Provide your true name, age and e-mail address. This information will be kept private. I joined this company a month ago and have never received any telephone solicitations. Since then, I have participated in two surveys. They were quick and painless. And although I have not yet accumulated any points, my next survey will enable me to receive HiPoints (this is the system the company uses to reward survey participants).

Membership to Harris Polls is free. Unlike some online survey companies, Harris Polls is strictly legitimate. You are required to review the rules for membership, accept them and then fill out a brief information form to join. Your telephone number is not required, nor your address. You simply need to provide your birth date, country of origin (Harris Polls is available to people from all other countries, although you have to be at least 14 years old to join if you are not a US citizen) and your e-mail address. A security question is asked in case you forget your password.

Shortly after joining Harris Polls, you will receive an e-mail confirming your registration. Click on the link and you’re in the system. In approximately two weeks, you will receive an e-mail for your first survey. You are under no obligation to participate in any survey and your account will not be deactivated unless you choose to do so.

Once you have completed your third survey, you are eligible for “Hipoints Rewards.” Participants receive 200 HiPoints after completion of their third survey. They can be turned in right away towards a variety of merchandise or gift cards, or accumulated to earn greater prizes. Unlike some online survey companies, Harris Polls does not pay cash, but does offer gift cards to hundreds of different stores.

The surveys themselves take only 10 minutes to complete and are pretty easy. They never direct you to websites that try to sign you up for long distant service. They maintain your privacy. Harris Polls is one of the oldest consumer polling companies in the world and has a stellar reputation.

I recommend this site for anyone who has teenagers at home. It’s an excellent way for them to learn about different products and ideas, as well as earn points that can be redeemed for “Best Buy” gift cards. As one of the few online companies that accepts members under the age of 18, your teenager might have a little bit of fun accumulating points and earning such prizes.

Best of all, the site is 100 percent safe, even for teenagers. Those who are wary of giving out personal information over the internet have nothing to fear in joining this site. You will never be asked for a credit card or additional personal information.

I highly recommend Harris Polls. I just wish one of my kids would have taken an interest in this site rather than me. But they will probably both benefit from the Best Buy gift cards that I earn for participating in the short surveys.