Protect your child from the Net's dangers

TV Soap Coronation Street has brought the issues of child access to the Internet, and the dangers of online chat rooms, into our living rooms.

The BCS has responded by publishing a guide advising parents how they can protect their children from the Internet, giving the following advice:

• Parents should make their children aware of the dangers of using the Net, and make sure they do not give out any personal information
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• Keep the PC in a communal living area where you can observe what the child is viewing
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• Parents should learn how to use the PC. Take a course leading to a qualification, such as the European Computer Driving Licence
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• Set rules for its use - times, duration, content, sharing and so forth
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• Treat the use of the computer like any family activity, such as a trip to the park, cinema or football game
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• Use an Internet service provider and software filters to prevent undesirable sites from being displayed, but check you are happy with the filter criteria first
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• If you believe your child has been exposed to inappropriate material, report it
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• Use passwords to restrict levels of access to the computer, so your child can only use it when you are present
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• Be aware of peripheral devices such as webcams and scanners, because your child could be seen by unwelcome eyes. Avoid headsets because you can only hear one side of a conversation
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• Enjoy the Internet with your child, encourage them to use sites for their age group with a responsible standard of care.

"Parents need to be aware of the risks of unsupervised child access to the Internet, and know what they can do to minimise those risks," said John Ivinson, deputy president of the BCS (British Computer Society).

"There are many ways parents can protect their children when using the PC, and the Internet," he said.

"There are two issues which parents should be aware of with regard to children and the Internet: placing your child at physical risk, and exposure to undesirable material such as pornography, violence and racial discrimination.""There is a lot of good information and pleasure to be gained from the Internet. While there are some unpleasant sites, do not allow children to be put off using it, and benefiting from all the good things it has to offer," said Ivinson.

The BCS provides information, and advice on all aspects of computing.

The website is updated regularly with news and information of interest to home users, and professionals in IT.

For Ivinson's full paper on child safety and the Internet, visit www.bcs.org/parentaladvice

For further information on these issues, visit www.chatdanger.com and www.internetcrimeforum.org.uk/chatwise_streetwise.html