How to ensure our youngsters are safe when using internet

ON the positive side, social networking sites allow children tobe incredibly creative online, keep in touch with their friends andexpress themselves using a range of different media and applicationssuch as video, photos, music and chat.

But Childnet International warns that there are also potentialrisks including cyberbullying, contact by adults with a sexualinterest in children, and the misuse of personal information.

It's important for parents to be familiar with the services sothat you can support your children in using them in a safe andconstructive way.

It helps to keep the computer in a family room -- not tucked awayin a bedroom.

Filtering software can help to block a lot of inappropriatematerial but they are not 100% effective and are no substitute forgood parental involvement. Many children also use the Net atfriends' homes, internet cafes, libraries and youth clubs, wherethere may be no filters and little supervision.

The following tips from Childnet have been written especially forchildren aged eight to 14:

* Staying safe involves being careful and not giving out yourname, address, mobile phone number, school name or password topeople online.

* Meeting someone you have contacted in cyberspace can bedangerous. Only do so with your parent or carer's permission andwhen they can be present.

* Accepting e-mails or opening files from people you don't reallyknow or trust can get you into trouble -- they may contain virusesor nasty messages.

* Someone online may be lying about who they are.

* Tell your parent or carer if someone or something makes youfeel uncomfortable or worried.

Try to strike a balance between educating children and youngpeople to behave safely, and trusting them to get on with it. If youhave any reason to suspect that your child is being groomed bysomeone who has a sexual interest in children it's vital that youhelp them keep a copy of the offending images or messages and reportthem to the police via the Child Exploitation and Online ProtectionCentre website www.ceop.gov.uk/reportabuse

If they are being harassed by another user report that person'sscreen name to the social network provider, which hopefully will acton violations to its terms of service.