What parents need to do to help keep children safe online?

Parents need to know the GOLD rules:

G - Ground Rules: parents must create ground rules.

O - Online safety: activate security settings.

L - Location: keep the computer in the family room. Prevent your child from using tablets in his/her bedroom, alone. Set time limits.

D - Discuss: talk to your child about what they are doing on the Internet.

Rules to help keep your children safe

To keep your child safe they should:

• Have screen time limits and switch off times
• Ask permission before using the Internet and tell you what they are doing
• Only use devices in family space, not in bedrooms
• Only use websites and games you have chosen together or a child friendly search engine
• Only email and message people they know
• Have limited use of Internet chat rooms (on games consoles or devices)
• Not use their real name when using games on the Internet (create a nick name)
• Never give out a home address, phone or mobile number
• Never tell someone where they go to school
• Never arrange to meet someone they have ‘met’ on the Internet
• Only use a webcam with people they know
• Tell you immediately if they see anything they are unhappy with.

Go through the rules with your child. It is also a good idea to regularly check the Internet sites your child is visiting e.g. by clicking on History and Favourites. Please reassure your child that you want to keep them safe rather than take Internet access away from them.

Online Safety