How not to be snared in the net
Despite the joining age of 13, Ofcom estimates that 30 per cent of eight to 11-year-olds have Facebook accounts. How open is your child to danger on the web? Today is Safer Internet Day: read and learn
You may think it is safe, but how do you know for sure?
Today is Safer Internet Day, designed to get families talking about their internet use and how they can share knowledge to improve their safe navigation of the web.
Recent research revealed that children seek guidance from their parents, with 75 per cent of 9 to 16-year-olds saying they benefit from talking to their mothers and fathers about their internet use.
Children’s Minister Tim Loughton said: “Safer Internet Day is a great opportunity to remind children and parents about the help and support on offer to keep children safe online. The internet is a brilliant education tool but technology is constantly changing so there is an ongoing need to inform parents and children about the potential risks in the online world.
“The Department, together with Childnet and industry experts, is hosting an event today with 80 children, parents, carers and grandparents to talk about child internet safety. Children and young people will hear from real experts and we in turn will hear the opinions and experiences of children and parents first hand. Internet safety is a shared responsibility and it is important to empower parents and all generations in a family to talk to children about staying safe online.”
Hundreds of high-profile partners are supporting Safer Internet Day, with free events, resources and programmes on offer both on and offline. Partners include the BBC, CEOP, Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Race Online 2012, the Industry Trust, BPI and many others. A full list of partners and what they are doing to support Safer Internet Day is available on the Safer Internet Centre.
Many of the partners will be participating in an innovative parliamentary event on Safer Internet Day, which will gather together groups of young people, parents, grandparents and carers to share their experiences, needs and safety concerns with MPs and representatives from the internet industry. Discussion from the event will inform the development of future advice and support for parents.
Go to the Safer Internet Centre website for the Safer Internet IQ Test and for more information
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