Staying Safe Online
We are in the midst of the Internet age - where the world can be brought into your living room via a home computer.
The possibilities are endless and amazing.
However, in addition to the wealth of mind-expanding knowledge that can be accessed, due to the global nature of the Internet it is impossible to prevent offensive and even illegal material being made freely available.
For the same reason, locating and ensuring prosecution of any individual or group engaging in criminal activity via the Internet is a lengthy and difficult process.
Three areas of concern for a parent come to mind:
- Excessive use of the Internet for non-educational purposes to the detriment of homework, outdoor or other social activities, together with large telephone bills!;
- The accidental or deliberate exposure to pornographic text/pictures or other offensive material;
- Contact with inappropriate individuals who have a less than wholesome reason for communicating with your child.
Unfortunately, anyone with even a limited knowledge of the Internet can access offensive, unsuitable and potentially illegal material. Remember, on the Internet pornographic images might only be three mouse clicks away!
Further help and advice:
For further information about the 'safe' use of the Internet, including filtering and blocking products, information on privacy issues and a family tool-kit, you may wish to visit the following sites.
