RULES FOR SAFE SURFING
- Use internet filtering software.
- Check out what child protection services your Internet Service Provider (ISP) offers.
- Keep the computer in a communal area of the house, where it's easier to monitor what your children are viewing.
- Tell children not to give out their personal details. If they want to subscribe to any services online, make up a family email address to receive the mail.
- Children love to chat to friends, but make sure they only use moderated chat rooms and encourage them to introduce you to their online friends.
- Encourage your children to tell you if they feel uncomfortable, upset or threatened by anything they see online.
- Involve your children in writing your own family code of acceptable internet use. Remember that what's acceptable for a teenager isn't necessarily OK for a primary school-aged child, so get their input.
- Surf together. Go online with your children and become part of their online life. The key to safe surfing is communication.