Children protected when connected
Last updated: 11 January 2013 11:30 UK120308 Internet safety RC2 from PCC Web on Vimeo.
SAFETY ONLINE
The web can be a dangerous place, with problems like cyber-bullying, grooming and fraud ever increasing online. Especially vulnerable to these issues are children and young people.
Working with the Portsmouth Safeguarding Children Board (or PSCB) we've launched an e-safety campaign aimed at raising awareness of the problems children and young people may face, as well as providing top tips and advice on how to protect your child when using the internet.
Chairman of the PSCB Jimmy Doyle said: “The internet is a great way for children to learn and have fun. But it is also vital that children stay safe when online. We know they face many potential risks from the internet such as cyber-bullying, harmful content and fraud.
“Our campaign therefore is about making sure that parents and other adults working with children in Portsmouth know the simple steps they can take to protect children when they are connected online.”
The campaign includes free training courses at The Learning Place, North End where advice will be given on keeping your children safe online available for parents, grandparents and carers. Specialist sessions will be available for people with learning difficulties and disabilities for whom social networking might be a potentially challenging in this environment - telephone 9262 1860 for more details.
Further information and help on staying safe online is also available at 'safety online' stations at libraries throughout the city.
Advice to help your children stay safe online
From the Child Exploitation and On-line Protection centre
* Ask your children to show you the websites they use - By doing so, your child is including you in their online life and social activity. Show an interest and take note of the names of their favourite sites. You can then re-visit these when you are alone.
* Ask your child to set their profile settings to private – Social networking sites, such as Facebook, are used by children to share information, photos and just about everything they do! Encourage your child to set their privacy settings to private.
* Talk to your child about their online friends – We know that people lie online about who they are and may create fake identities. It is very important children understand this. Children and young people must never give out personal information and only be “friends” with people they know and trust in the real world.
* Set appropriate parental controls on your child’s computer, mobile and games console – Filters on computers and mobiles can prevent your child from viewing inappropriate and possibly illegal content. You can activate and change levels depending on your child’s age and abilities. They can be free and easy to install.
* Ask your child to tell you if they are worried about something online – Sometimes children get into situations online where they don’t feel comfortable or see something they don’t want to see. By opening up the communication channels and talking to your child about the internet, their favourite sites and the risks they may encounter, they are more likely to turn to you if they are concerned about something.
* Know where to get help if you are concerned about your child – The CEOP Safety Centre provides access to a range of services. If you are concerned that an adult has made inappropriate contact with your child you can report this directly to CEOP. You can also find help if you think your child is being bullied, or if you have come across something on the internet which you think may be illegal.
For national advice and information
Think U Know – http://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/ CEOP’s website offers a wealth of up-to-date, practical information on how to keep your child safe online, including where to go for further help and support.
These other sites also give helpful information:
UK Safer Internet Centre: http://www.saferinternet.org.uk/ Childnet: http://www.childnet-int.org/
And you can follow the dastardly schemes of Tyrant-Tula on Facebook at www.facebook.com/tyrantula
