For most children and young people communicating via the internet is a fun and enjoyable experience. However there are some risks in opening up your child's access to anyone in the world, adult or child, so we need to be aware of the dangers of internet abuse. The information on this page is here to help give you some clear advice about some of the risks and what you as parents/carers can do to help your children surf the internet in safety. The topics covered include:

• Advice for Parents about safe surfing
• How to reporting any trouble or problems you have

Advice for parents and carers

• Be aware that people may not be who they say they are on the Internet. An adult could pretend to be a child the same age as your child just to get to know them. Sometimes they can do this over a long period of time in an attempt to develop trust and friendship.
• You should be familiar with your children's use of the computer on-line. Get involved with them and ask questions about what they're doing and how they're doing it.
• You should establish rules for use of the computer on-line. The rules should limit access time, duration and type of use depending on the age and maturity of the child (e.g. surfing the net vs. chat rooms, etc.).
• Be sure that your children understand that they should not be sending personal information about themselves to people that they have met.
• You could keep the computer in a highly visible location in the house so that you can routinely walk by and see what your children are doing on the Internet. The child's bedroom may be a convenient location to place the computer, but it's probably not the best place to guarantee safe use.
• If you are concerned about any sites or conversations that your children are having on the internet or have access to, talk to them about your concerns and contact the service provider about techniques and software that is available to block access

Reporting trouble or problems

It's possible, despite all of your best efforts, that your child might run into some trouble online. How do you know who to contact?

• If there's an immediate threat of harm to your child, call 999, just as you would in any emergency.
• If your child comes across any images, material or has any conversations with someone suspicious then you should always contact your service provider and let them know all the details.
• If you come across any material which includes child pornography or any individuals who are trying to 'groom', exploit and meet children face to face you should contact the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) or report it to the Police. Make a record of the URL or internet address of any material, but don't download or copy it yourself, and report it to the CEOP or the Police.

For more detailed information and advice about internet safety, the risks posed by the internet and what you can do see the link below for the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP). The CEOP aims to tackle child sex abuse wherever and whenever it happens. They work in partnership with a range of organisations and agencies in order to maximise Police powers and combine them with the expertise of the Business Sector, Government, specialist Charities and other interested organisations. Their website www.ceop.gov.uk gives you clear advice and information about the nature of child abuse and the internet, advice about what you can do and provides a gateway for you to report any suspicious or abusive material or individuals you may come across on the internet.

Downloads

Internet Safety Checklist: This download highlights some of the main issues which parents and carers need to be aware of regarding internet safety. However, check out the links below for more information which can help.

Blog Safety: This download leaflet from the Childnet International provides more information for parents and carers about keeping up with online childrens social life.

Links

www.ceop.gov.uk/

Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre was launched on 24 April 2006. The Centre provides a single point of contact for the public, law enforcers and the communications industry to report targeting of children online and offers advice and information to parents and potential victims of abuse 24 hours a day. It is based in London and will have up to 100 staff. It will also carry out proactive investigations and work with police forces around the world to protect children.

www.stopitnow.org.uk/

The stop it now campaign aims to raise awareness throughout society of child abuse and child welfare issues. They offer a range of advice and information regarding child abuse including what parents and carers can do to help protect children online.

www.thinkuknow.co.uk/

The aim of this website is to help parents and carers understand some of the new technology that young people love to use, update families on some of the risks they may come into contact with and empower parents and carers to get involved in helping children be safe in their online experience. The website also has a reporting function which allows users to report abuse and potential abuse online.

www.kidsmart.org.uk/

Kid smart has a range of information on internet safety for parents/carers, professionals and children. They offer a variety of resources, facts on filtering, and practical steps etc to help families create a safer environment for children and young people online.

www.nch.org.uk/

NCH also provide valuable information and advise to families regarding internet safety and keeping children safe online.

www.getsafeonline.org/

Get safe online is a website which provides parents and carers with simple to follow tips about internet safety.

www.parentscentre.gov.uk/usingcomputersandtheinternet/

This page of the Parents Centre website gives parents and carers further information and advise which can help protect children online.

www.parents.org.uk/

Parents Online (POL) is a web site for parents, by parents. It can offer a range of information and advise regarding parenting issues to do with young children including information about staying safe online.

www.safeteens.com/

Safe teen is a US website which also provides a range of information regarding internet safety.

www.nspcc.org.uk

The NSPCC website can also provide families with information which can help keep children safe online.