Tips on Internet safety

• If possible make sure the computer is in a family room.



• Show an interest in what your child is doing on the net but try for a balance between respecting their privacy and making sure they don't feel the need to be secretive.



• Agree rules such as never giving out contact details and make sure that your child knows why they should never give out their full name, home address, telephone number or email address.



• Agree with your child what they can and can't have access to on the net. Insist they don't download anything from 'pop-ups' that can appear on the screen. These are often pornographic. Ask them to fetch you if the 'pop-ups' keep reappearing as they can be very persistent. Software like 'Net Nanny' or 'Adware' can be installed to block undesirable sites or 'pop-ups'.



• Remember some young people will use chat rooms to 'reinvent' themselves which is perfectly normal.



• Use this opportunity to talk to your children about related issues such as sex and relationships.



• Don't just have one-off conversations about keeping safe.



• Ask your Internet service provider what service they offer to protect your family.



• Are you intimidated by technology, don't have access to the Internet or haven't had the opportunity to learn? Try your local family centres, colleges, libraries and Internet cafes.



• There are special types of software that can be installed to block unwanted sites or 'pop-ups'. They offer online activity monitoring, recording and blocking. This software protects your children and gives you with the comfort of knowing that you are protecting them without stopping them from using the internet. It also means that you can know at all times what your children are doing when online and are able to put a stop to any potential threats and dangerous situations that might appear. Read reviews on the best software available (for example on www.reviewcentre.com) before making your choice.



• You may have heard of websites like MySpace, Bebo and FaceBook. These are social networking sites where your children can share their photos and news with their friends, as well as making new friends online. These have really taken off over the last couple of years. You may want to remind your child about the importance of not giving out personal details like their mobile number or email address.