Children and teenagers love to talk and gossip and there’s no better place for them to do so than on the internet.

Whether it’s with their friends, or in public forums with strangers, the online environment gives young people all the tools they need to connect with people around the world and swap stories and views.

But keeping out of danger in these arenas should be the No1 thing youngsters are taught about internet safety.

The answer isn’t to block them off from this virtual world. Instead, teach them some simple rules such as the ones below and help them stay away from potential harm.

Instant Messaging

• Common IM systems are MSN, Windows Live Messenger, Yahoo, Google Talk or Skype.
• Instant Messaging appears on social networks such as Facebook and on mobile phones.
• Remind children never to add people to their ‘buddy’ list who they do not know in the real world.
• Educate them not to accept people to their list who claim to be friends of friends without checking first if they are for real.
• Explain adults often pose as children to gain access to young people through instant messaging.
• Ensure they know how to block and delete people who are causing them distress.
• Show them the reporting buttons such as the CEOP one on MSN, to tell the authorities about users who act inappropriately.
• Do not allow young children to have a webcam in the bedroom, to prevent them being coaxed into doing anything inappropriate on video.

Chatrooms 

• These are public online chat forums. Some require sign-up but often they are open to anyone without providing details of their age or sex.
• Anyone can enter them and pretend to be something or someone they are not.
• Sit with your children as they chat, or monitor their usage closely.
• Do not allow them to use a webcam with a chatroom pal unless you both know them personally.
• Encourage children not to have usernames that are sexually suggestive or offensive.
• Educate them to never lie about their age in a chatroom and never to give out personal details such as a mobile phone number or address.

Social networks 

• You must be 13 or over to have a profile on many of these networks.
• Sites such as Facebook, MySpace and Bebo allow young people to create profiles and publish details of their lives to share with friends.
• Help your children activate their built-in privacy controls.
• Do not let them post their mobile phone number, home address or school name.
• Sign up for an account and become friends with your child to keep an eye on what they do.
• Remind teenagers the information they display could be seen in the future by teachers, prospective employers and universities.
• Make youngsters aware of the dangers of viruses and spyware that spread through social networks. Web links placed on profiles or someone’s ‘wall’ can lead to viruses.

• Security Centre
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• Parents Guide
  
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  • Keeping your under 10's safe online
  • Keeping your over 10's safe online
  • Online gaming
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  • Cyber bullying
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• Protect yourself
  
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  • Email, dos and don'ts
• Protect your things
  
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