Safer Internet Day

Parents’ and Carers’ Guide to the Internet

Do you ever feel that your children know more about online technologies than you do?

You are not alone. The Internet and online technologies are an important part of children’s lives at home and school, providing great opportunities for learning, communicating, playing and creating. As we know, these technologies create huge opportunities for us all; however, they can sometimes be a bit overwhelming, and present challenges to keeping your family safe online.

Safer Internet Day (SID) is an annual European Union event to promote the safe and responsible use of technology among children and young people. The focus of SID 2012 is ‘Connecting Generations’. It aims to encourage families to explore online technologies together. SID 2012 will be taking place on Tuesday 7th February with activities across the UK and beyond, which we would like you to be a part of.

The Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre is the UK’s national centre dedicated to protecting children from harm both online and offline. CEOP’s Thinkuknow education initiative aims to empower children and young people to enjoy online technologies safely. Each year, CEOP celebrates SID to highlight the importance of educating children and young people about their online safety.

It is just as important to be involved in your children’s life online, as it is offline. Just as you would ask about their friends at school or the clubs they go to, you should ask them about the people they meet online, the sites they visit and the things they enjoy – ask the same questions and show the same interest. 

To help get you started, CEOP are launching the
‘Parents’ and Carers’ Guide to the Internet’ - a short, entertaining TV-style programme looking at what it’s like to bring up children in the online world.

Watch this programme online to help you:

• stay up-to-date with the technology your children are using;
• understand steps you can take to keep your children safe online; and
• know what action to take and where to seek further support if things go wrong.

The ‘Parents’ and Carers’ Guide to the Internet’ will be available on Tuesday 7 February.

Visit www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents to watch the programme and access information on how to keep your family safe online.