The safe-use guide to the internet

Dos and dont's for the internet

1 Discover the internet together.

Be the one to introduce your child to the internet and try to find websites that are exciting and fun. Hopefully together you will achieve a positive and conscious attitude to internet exploration, which again could make it easier to share both positive and negative experiences in the future.

2Agree with your child on a framework for internet use in your home.

Try to reach an agreement with your child on the guidelines which apply to internet use at home, such as how to treat your personal information, how to behave towards others on the net and what type of sites and activities are okay or not okay in the family

3Encourage your child to be careful when disclosing personal information.

It is important that adults are aware that many web pages made for children require giving out personal information to access content. Being conscious of when and where it is all right to reveal personal information is vital. A simple rule could be that the child should not give out name, phone number or picture without your approval.

4Talk about the risks associated with meeting an e-pal face to face.

Adults should understand that the internet could be a positive meeting place for children, where they can get to know other children and make new friends. However, to avoid unpleasant experiences, it is important that children do not meet strangers they have met on the net without being accompanied by an adult, friends or others they trust. In any case, the child should always have their parents' approval first.

5Teach your child about source criticism on the net.

Most children use the internet to improve and develop knowledge in relation to schoolwork and personal interests. Net users should be aware that not all information found online is correct. Educate children on how to verify information they find by comparing to alternative sources on the same topic.

6Don't be too critical towards your child's exploration of the internet.

Children may come across adult material by accident on the web. If a child intentionally searches for such web sites, remember that it is natural for children to be curious about off-limits material. Try to use this as an opening to discuss the content with them, and perhaps make rules for this kind of activity.

7Report online material you may consider illegal to the appropriate authorities.

By taking responsibility and reporting illegal material you can help to prevent illegal activities online, such as child pornography or attempts to lure children via chat, mail or messaging.

8Encourage good "netiquette"

Netiquette is the informal code of conduct for the internet. As in everyday life, there are informal ethical rules for how to behave when relating to other people on the internet. These include being polite, using correct language and not yell at (write in capital letters) or harass others. Also, children as well as grown-ups should not read others' e-mail or copy protected material.

9Know your child's net use.

To be able to guide your child with regard to internet use, it is important to understand how children use the internet and know what they like to do online. Let your child show you which websites they like visiting and what they do there. Acquiring technical knowledge could also make it easier to make the right decisions regarding your child's internet use.

10Remember that the positive aspects of the internet outweigh the negatives.

The internet is an excellent educational and recreational resource for children. Encourage your child to be conscious and explore the Internet to its full potential.

Provided by Webwise.ie