ASK YOURSELF THREE QUESTIONS

"Do you know what your child is viewing"

"Do you know who they are talking to online"

"Do you know what to do to help protect them"

Internet and Mobile Technology

The internet is an integral part of children's lives these days. It opens up many educational and social opportunities, giving access to, quite literally, a world of information and experiences.

Whether on a computer at school, a laptop at home, a games console or mobile phone, children and young people are increasingly accessing the internet whenever they can and wherever they are.

The following websites offer information, guidance and advice about how you and your children can keep safe on the internet:

ThinkUKnow - Come in to find the latest information on the sites you like to visit, mobiles and new technology. Find out what’s good, what’s not and what you can do about it

CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection) - The Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre is dedicated to eradicating the sexual abuse of children. That means we are part of UK policing and very much about tracking and bringing offenders to account either directly or in partnership with local and international forces.

BBC - Interactive games and information about staying safe

Kidsmart - fun interative information and advice including videos about all areas of digital communication such as mobiles, social networking sites and file sharing

Knowthenet - Information and resources for parents to help keep their children safe on the internet

Ofcom provides information on how to use the internet safely through guides published on its website.

Ofcom has produced four guides for parents and carers on:

• Protecting children in a digital world
• How to use parental controls on mobile phones
• How to use parental controls on games consoles/portable media players

The Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre's Youth Advisory Panel were asked what they would advise parents to do to help keep their children safe online. Below are the top bits of advice...

Parents should talk to their children about the dangers they may face online

• If parents talk to their children, they may be more likely to understand any potential dangers they may face. It may be a bit embarrassing at first but children would rather this than not being allowed to use the computer at all.
• Trust is vital - especially over the summer holidays - as some parents will be going to work, leaving their children at home. Having an open and honest conversation about using the internet at the beginning of the holidays may be helpful.

Go online with your child and ask them to show you what they are doing

• Parents should ask their children to show them what they are doing online - if they don't understand what social networking sites are or chat rooms, their children can help them to set up a profile or an account. That way parents will get a better understanding of new technology and how much fun it can be.

Parents should monitor what their children are doing online

• There are lots of filtering software products available that can be used and some parental locks can also be used on certain websites, so access would be blocked if their child tried to view the page.
• If parents are going to use filtering software, it's important to tell children about it as some may feel like they are being spied on.

More information is available on www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents

Enjoy the internet, but don't allow abusers to take away that enjoyment.

'CEOP Report' button