Keeping your child safe on the Internet

Think Smart: The Internet is a wonderful thing. It’s fun, it’s a great way for children to keep in touch with friends, and its educational possibilities are almost unlimited. But like any technology, it can be abused.
Chat rooms can be completely harmless and they can be a lot of fun. They are certainly very popular, and there are hundreds of thousands of them. But you can’t tell who anyone is in a chat room. Because of this, and because chat rooms are particularly popular with children and teenagers, there is a small risk that they can be used by paedophiles or sex abusers looking for victims. Adults who want to exploit children might pose as teenagers themselves, try to strike up a friendship and eventually, try to meet a child or teenager. This is why the first rule of chat rooms is NEVER to reveal any personal details – that includes full name, address, telephone number, email address and mobile number.

Talk to your children about what they do online. Keep the dialogue going so they feel they can tell you if anything upsets them.

Help your child understand the possible dangers and how they can keep themselves safe.

Internet use is part of our new world. It’s useful, fun and educational. Used safely, it’s a force for good.

Negative experiences should be shared. Reassure your child that nasty things online are not their fault, and their Internet privileges will not be taken away.

Keep these safety tips handy, and discuss this booklet with your child.

Smart kids keep their details secret – NO giving out personal details, and NO meeting with online friends without a responsible adult being present.

Make a ‘Favourites’ folder with your child of agreed sites for him or her to visit.

Ask your ISP about the safety features it offers.

Remember there is lots of valuable safety advice you can give your child without being an Internet expert.

If you wish to report child pornography then phone free on:

0808 100 0040

Darlington Area Child Protection Committee

General sources of information

Internet Watch foundation

For Kids by Kids Online

Childnet related site www.chatdanger.com

Police Child Pornography Information Line

UK Online

NCH

ChildLine

NSPCC Child Protection Helpline

Keeping your child safe home page

HTML version of the Keeping your child safe leaflet

Internet Task force home page

Home Office front page

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