It seems like hardly a week passes without hearing another distressing report of how a child was the victim of online grooming or cyber-bullying. There is also a huge amount of inappropriate material on the internet that you wouldn’t want a child to see. It is therefore understandable that parents can be tempted to refuse their child access. However, to do so would be to deny them a wealth of useful knowledge and opportunities. Instead, just follow these tips to keep your child safe online.

• Use a content filter. Make sure the software you choose carries the Child Safety Online Kitemark.
• Get online yourself. The more you know about the world your child is engaging in, the more you will be aware of potential pitfalls and how to avoid them. It will also give you greater confidence when talking to your child about what they are doing online.
• Keep your computer in a family area. That way you will be able to keep an eye on what your child is up to, and will be available if they encounter something that makes them uncomfortable.
• Educate your child about the risks of making personal details public. Do not let them post information on their profile such as address, email address or any information that would enable a stranger to trace them. For example, a photo of them in school uniform could reveal which school they belong to if the school badge is visible.
• Make your child aware that photos can be copied and reposted elsewhere. They should not post images that they would not want made public.
• Advise them not to open files from someone they don’t know. The file could contain a virus or inappropriate material.
• Encourage your child to talk about what they are doing online. Show an interest in the sites they visit and the friends they are meeting online. Let them know they can come to you if they are uncomfortable about anything they have encountered online.
• Keep online friends online. Explain to your child that some people may not be who they say they are, and therefore it is safer not to meet someone you only know online. However, ensure that they are accompanied by an adult if they do decide to meet an online friend.
• Know where you can go for more help and advice.

• www.thinkyouknow.co.uk is a website run by the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre. It has a host of resources for children, parents and teachers.
• Look out for the CEOP Report button on social networking and chat sites. Use the button for advice, or to report anything that concerns you.
• Know IT All (www.childnet-int.org/kia/) is another excellent source of resources for parents, children and schools.
• Many schools run e-safety awareness sessions for parents, so it is worth checking to see if your child’s school will be running one.

This content was provided by one of our users, Vicki Beeby