The internet can be a excellent resource for information, learning, and for entertainment. As pupils in school gain more skills and knowledge of ICT and computer use they become more adventurous in their use, so it is very important that you know what exactly what your child is looking at on the internet, and that they are keeping them self safe when on the internet.

There are a number of measures you can take to ensure the safety of your child on the internet.

Windows Live Messenger

Many children use the internet to communicate with friends from school using such programs as 'Windows Live Messenger' (MSN Messenger). With such a program, your child would add their friends email address in their contacts to be able to talk to them. This is usually a safe way of communicating, however it's important that you know exactly who is on their contact list.

Some web sites allow children to play online games, and communicate at the same time. There are also dedicated web sites with chat rooms to talk to other people around the world. On such web sites your child could start talking to anyone and then exchange email addresses, phone number or contact details, or start talking in Windows Live Messenger. This is a very dangerous aspect of the internet, and you should restrict your child from going on such web sites.

People aren't always who they say they are on the internet. Keep telling your children never to give out any personal information like their name, phone number, address etc, and keep a regular check on their Contact List in their email or messaging programs.

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