Keeping Safe Online
With the majority of homes now connected to the internet, it is more important than ever that parents and carers understand the dangers, as well as the benefits, of using the internet.
Chat rooms
There are lots of sites around that allow you to talk to other people on the web. Chat rooms allow users to have a conversation with each other and get instant replies. Online message boards and forums let people post questions or comments and ask other users to give their opinion in their own time.
When you're using a chat room or posting on a message board, never give out any personal information like your address or your phone number. You should always use a nickname, so no-one can look you up in a telephone directory and get your home phone number.
You should never arrange to meet up with someone that you've been chatting to online. Remember that you can never be sure that they're telling the truth about their age or their interests and you could be putting yourself in danger.
No matter how long you've been chatting, remember that they're still strangers; you don't really know them at all.
Social Networking
Social networks are a great way of keeping in touch but you should think carefully before adding someone to your list of online friends or posting a blog entry that could get you into trouble at school, college or work.
Simple guidelines for using these kind of sites include:
- never post anything you wouldn't want your parents, teacher or boss to see;
- you can never be sure that other users are being truthful about their online identities, so be careful about what information you give out;
- think carefully about the pictures you upload. You should also avoid uploading pictures that identify the school which your child attends since this could help someone locate them;
- do not post a phone number or email address on your homepage;
- adjust account settings so that only approved friends can send instant messages;
- avoid giving too much information in a blog, particularly contact details, partys, etc.
Personal details
Some websites will require users to fill out a registration form before they can be used. All companies that collect information have to tell their customers how it will be used. Make sure you check the website's terms and conditions if you want to know.
Some sites allow other companies to use details from their user database for market research purposes. Companies have to give you the chance to tell them if you don't want your details to be used in this way. This is often done by having a tick box on the online registration page.
If you don't want your information to be used, tick that box before you submit your information.
Protect yourself and your computer against online threats
Many people still don't like shopping on the internet because they think their bank details are not safe. Luckily, shopping on the web is now just as safe as ordering goods over the telephone, as long as you follow a few common sense rules.
If you do order goods over the internet, make sure that the company you're buying from uses a secure shopping server. You'll know if it is a secure site if a padlock icon appears at the bottom of your browser window, or the web address begins with 'https:'.
If it's a company that you've never heard of before, search their site for any contact numbers and postal addresses. If they're a respectable company, they won't mind you giving them a quick call to ask them a few questions.
Also, make sure that you never send your bank details to anyone in an email. Banks and online stores will never ask you to do this as it is not a secure way of sending information. If you do receive an official-looking email that asks you to send your financial details, you should never reply as you could become a victim of identity fraud.
Where to look
More information about keeping yourself and family safe online can be found at the following web sites...
Think You Know
Guidance provided by The Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre
www.thinkyouknow.co.uk
Get Safe Online
Expert advice from the British government, the Serious and Organised Crime Agency and industry specialists.
http://www.getsafeonline.org/
Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre
A multi-agency service dedicated to tackling the exploitation of children.
http://www.ceop.police.uk/
