Children under 10 today are growing up with the internet in a way their parents were never able to.

To these youngsters, technology, interactivity, social networks and online sharing will quickly become second nature.

As Professor Tanya Byron, says: “Children are the digital natives of this new world, and we parents are the digital immigrants.

“For them it’s entirely natural to be able to contact someone on the other side of the world whom they’ve never met face-to-face, or speak to someone via a webcam.”

Don't be afraid

The idea of E-Parenting might seem daunting, especially if you’re a digital novice, but there are plenty of useful websites with information to help. Click here for a list of sites we recommend.

To help you get started, we’ve put together six simple pieces of advice for you to follow to help children under the age of 10 stay safe online.

Be smart 

• Teach your children the SMART rules. View the SMART rules in full here.  
• These are broken down into Safe, Meeting, Accepting, Reliable and Tell and include the No1 rule of never giving out your personal information such as a phone number or password while online. 
• Pin a copy up by the computer to remind them each time they use the internet.

Share for safety 

• Don’t let youngsters of this age have their own email account. Consider sharing an inbox so you can see the messages they send and receive.
• If you feel they are mature enough to have their own email, ensure you know the password.

Set access 

• Create a list of favourite websites your children are allowed to use.
• Do the same on gaming consoles like the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii, which also give children access to the internet and strangers to chat to.

Make the PC public 

• Do not place the computer in your child’s bedroom. Have it centrally located so you can observe what they are doing.
• From the age of seven, lessen the time you spend sitting by their side and give them greater freedom in return for them sticking to the surfing rules you have agreed together.

Spend time together 

• Balance the time your children spend at the screen with outdoor activities, indoor play and relaxation time.
• Remember, even the most basic of games on the computer can get addictive.
• Do not use the desktop or laptop as an electronic babysitter. Limit the time for kids aged three to five to just half an hour per day maximum.

Stranger danger 

• Teach your children from the age of five about talking to people they don’t know on the internet. They should understand to tell an adult they trust if someone contacts them they have never met. 

• Security Centre
• HomeSafe
• Parents Guide
  
  • Zip it, Block it, Flag it
  • Keeping your under 10's safe online
  • Keeping your over 10's safe online
  • Online gaming
  • IM, chat and social networks
  • Cyber bullying
  • Sexting
• Protect yourself
  
  • ID theft
  • Email, dos and don'ts
• Protect your things
  
  • Viruses and spyware
  • Backup safely