Internet Safety Advice for Kids

WORRIED ABOUT YOUR CHILD’S SAFETY ONLINE?

The Internet is a fabulous resource, an invaluable educational tool, a source of entertainment and a social-networking mecca.  But we all worry about children’s safety in this no-holds-barred virtual environment. 

Fortunately there’s a great deal of information on how to keep your youngsters safe.  Where is it?  Online of course!

Childnet International

Childnet’s website offers a full range of online safety resources for teachers, parents and carers including:
 

• The ‘Know it All’ Powerpoint Presentation.  This highlights the gap between children’s actual experience online and prevailing adult perceptions of these experiences.  To watch the presentation click here:  www.childnet.com/kia
• The ‘Know it All’ CD.  This is an interactive tutorial containing videos and activities.
• Fact Sheets.  These cover specific areas of internet safety including internet addiction, putting photos on the net, chatting online, searching online and Spam.

These can be found at www.childnet.com

Childnet also has other site areas that focus on specific issues including:
 

• Advice about filesharing and downloading.  Click here: www.childnet.com/music  
• Childnet ‘Sorted’.  This was produced by youngsters and examines issues of internet security and protection.  It offers simple explanations of how to protect a computer from dangers such as viruses, phishing, scams, spyware and Trojans.  Click here:  www.childnet.com/sorted

Childnet’s Top Tips for Safer Internet and Mobile Phone Use

Use the Tools
 

• Set personal websites to private
• Ensure your child knows how to block and delete contacts and how to save conversations
• Look out for security features on websites like a padlock picture or website addresses that start https (not just http)
• Install a filter to reduce inappropriate website content
• Install software like a pop-up blocker and firewall and regularly update anti-virus software to protect your computer
• Using the filter on search engines such as Google is better than nothing
• Remember Granny might need a filter if the kids use the computer there!

Use Your Brain

• Always read the privacy policy and terms and conditions before disclosing personal details online
• Create a ‘family’ email address for signing up to things and use other addresses for friends and family
• Only use webcams with people you know offline and remember to turn them off after use
• Never click on unknown or suspicious hyperlinks or forward on chain emails
• Only download files from reputable sources
• If something goes wrong, don’t just take the computer or phone away.  That might stop your child from talking to you.

Talk Things Through
 

• Get involved with what your child is doing online and discuss who their online contacts are
• Talk to older children about potential employers and universities viewing their personal online content
• Agree internet rules as a family about meeting up with online contacts and time spent online
• Talk to your child about what they can do if they are worried or feel uncomfortable about an online experience
• Discuss with your kids the best people to report to in different situations (to an adult, to the service provider, to the police, to thinkuknownco.uk, to Childline: 0800 11 11)
• Discuss time limits if online activity is taking over
• Remind children that the rules apply to phones as well as computers

Additional Recommended Safety Websites 


www.kidsmart.org.uk
www.thinkuknow.co.uk
www.parentscentre.gov.uk
www.nesmartzkids.org/indexFL.htm
www.wiredkids.org
www.safekids.com
www.getnetwise.org/gnwtv/