The internet is very much a part of our lives these days, and it provides a useful educational tool for both adults and children. Research shows that children make far greater use of the internet than their parents are aware of and that a high proportion of children go to meet people they have met online. Making children and young people aware of the dangers without frightening them will reduce the risk, and the following advice will help you do just that. 

Follow these tips to keep your child safe on the computer:

• Keep your computer in a family room, that way you can supervise its use.
• Explain to children and young people the dangers of being involved in Chat rooms. 
• Try to interact with your child while they are on the Internet.
• Encourage them to show you anything that makes them feel uncomfortable.
• Tell them they must inform you if someone want to talk in a private chat room, tries to introduce sex into the conversation or suggests that they meet somewhere.
• Familiarise yourself with your child's on-line friends.
• Strangers on-line are difficult to spot. Remind them that they have no idea who they are talking to even if they have sent a picture it could be of anybody. 
• Never allow your child to have an unsupervised meeting with anyone they meet on-line.
• Set personal websites to private.
• Ensure your child knows how to block and delete contacts and how to save conversations.
• Look out for security features on websites like and website addresses that start https (not just http)
• Install a filter to reduce inappropriate website content
• Always read the privacy policy and terms and conditions before disclosing personal details online.
• Create a family email address for signing up to things and use other addresses for friends and family
• Only use webcams with people you know offline, and remember to turn them off after use
• Never click on unknown or suspicious hyperlinks or forward on chain emails.
• Only download files from reputable sources.
• Get involved with what your child is doing online and discuss who their online contacts are.
• Talk to older children about potential employers and universities viewing their personal online content.
• Agree internet rules as a family about meeting up with online contacts and time spent online.
• Talk to your child about what they can do if they are worried or feel uncomfortable about an online experience.

Discuss with your children the best people to report to in different situations (to an adult, to the service provider, to the police, to www.thinkuknow.co.uk, to Childline 0800 11 11)

 An Internet Chatroom Safety Guide for Young People