As most people know the internet can be an amazing resource and provide hours of fun for kids, but there is a side to the internet that can be worrying for any parent.
Chat rooms have been a main cause of concern for years, with adults posing as young children and chatting to unsuspecting kids, and in extreme cases trying to organise secret meetings with the child. Things are changing slowly and a lot of chat rooms are starting to monitor their sites more closely, but unfortunately not everyone is following suit.
Websites with explicit images are another problem that children may be exposed to, a few of these websites have a warning on their homepage alerting the user to the fact that the site contains this sort of material, but unfortunately not all of them.
Another major worry for a parent is spam email containing explicit images, most of this type of spam gets sent from countries where any type of law is not easily enforced and therefore the culprits can go on sending, hopefully one day we will see the end of this type of marketing but unfortunately at the moment it is here to stay.
Links for kids
Think u Know
Information on how to stay safe while having fun online.
www.thinkuknow.co.uk
Chat Danger
Helpful information about the potential dangers of online interactive services such as chat rooms, online games, email and mobile phones.
www.chatdanger.com
Childnet International
A non-profit organisation working with others to "help make the Internet a great and safe place for children".
www.childnet-int.org
Kid Smart
An award winning, practical Internet safety advice website for schools, agencies and young people.
www.kidsmart.org.uk
Links for parents
Parents Information Network
A wide range of guidance on computers and education for parents with children of toddler age through to 18.
www.pin.org.uk
Parent Zone
Parentzone helps parents to get involved in their children's education.
www.parentzonescotland.gov.uk
SUSI (Safer Use of Services on the Internet)
Advice and information about Internet safety for parents and teachers, plus opportunities to discuss problems and share solutions.
www.besafeonline.org
Internet Watch Organisation
The UK Hotline for reporting illegal online content.
www.iwf.org.uk
