| Top ten tips to help your children keep safe online |
• When buying a computer, ask a sales assistant which internet safety devices are available to help manage your child's internet access. Install software that can filter inappropriate material and allows you to monitor what your children are doing online.
• When your children are young, place the computer where you can always see the screen. By doing this, you will help them develop a pattern of safe use of the internet which may safeguard them when they are older and want more privacy online.
• Help your children to enjoy their time on the internet but also encourage offline activity, for example - playing with their friend, participating in family activities and developing hobbies.
• Teach them not to give out personal information about themselves such as their name, address, telephone number, where they live or which school they go to. If they're signing up for email, chat or on a website, get them to use a nickname and make sure it's one that does not identify their year/date of birth or have sexual connotations.
• Teach them not to give out personal information about their family or friends.
• Talk to them about the need to be careful of 'friends' online because they might not be who they say they are.
• Be open - take an interest in their internet use and talk to them about what they've seen just as you might talk to them about a book they've read or a file they've viewed.
• Educate your children to use the internet wisely and to become critical users, encourage them to question whether the information they are receiving from people is true.
• Let them know that they can tell you if they become uncomfortable with anything that happens on the internet and acknowledge that it may be difficult for them to do this. They may have said things they are embarrassed about and wouldn't want you to know. Help them learn that we all make mistakes when growing up and that you can help.
• Ensure your children understand the danger of meeting up with someone they have only met online whether that person says they are a man, woman or child and that they should never go on their own.
• Add help websites like CEOP, Childnet and IWF to 'favourites', so children can find them easily.
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