How can you help to keep your children safe online?

• Know what your children are doing online and who they are talking to.
• Ask them to teach you to use any applications you have never used.
• Use devices in a family room - this means that you can share your child’s online experience and that they are less likely to act inappropriately (i.e. via webcam).
• Help your children to understand that they should never give out personal details to online friends — personal information includes their messenger ID, email address, mobile number and any pictures of themselves, their family or friends. If your child publishes a picture or video online, anyone can change it or share it. Remind them that anyone may be looking at their images and one day a future employer could!
• If your child receives spam/junk email & texts, remind them never to believe them, reply to them or use them. It’s not a good idea for your child to open files that are from people they don’t know. They won’t know what they contain — it could be a virus, or worse — an inappropriate image or film.
• Help your child to understand that some people lie online and therefore it’s better to keep online mates online. They should never meet up with any strangers without an adult they trust.
• Always keep communication open for a child to know that it’s never too late to tell someone if something makes them feel uncomfortable.
• Teach young people how to block someone online and how to report them if they feel uncomfortable.

Other Resources
A parent’s guide to technology and other advice/resources:

http://www.saferinternet.org.uk/advice-and-resources/parents-and-carers/parents-guide-to-technology

For supporting parents who wish to set up parental controls, video guides have been made available by Internet Service Providers and can be found in a collection here:

http://www.saferinternet.org.uk/advice-and-resources/parents-and-carers/parental-controls

Always be careful when you are using the internet. It can help you to keep in touch with your friends and help your education – but it can also cause harm – to you and to others.

Remember help is always available at school if you are having any problems online.

Don’t be afraid to talk to your teacher or another adult at school.

If you or anyone you know is worried about Child Exploitation, Online Protection or anything related to Internet safety please click the link below which will take you to the CEOP reporting website:

Tips for staying safe online:

· Make sure you keep new online friends strictly online. If someone you don't know asks to be your online friend you must ensure an adult knows about it.

· Know how to use the CEOP Button and how to report it to the CEOP Centre if you are concerned about someone’s online behaviour towards you.