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Internet safety advice and safe links for kids and parents. Internet safety for children's mobile phones and smartphones. Internet safety for iOS, iPad, iPod, iPhones.

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A few basics
Always supervise children & teenagers using the internet. This does not mean looking over their shoulder the whole time (you haven't got the time and they won't thank you for it). Let your child enjoy using the internet as safely as possible by making sure all internet-enabled devices are safely set up, by keeping updated on the latest developments and being aware of your kids' online activities.

Computers. No parental filter is foolproof so be aware of your child's internet use by keeping computers & laptops & other mobile devices in rooms used by all the family.
Set up parental controls e.g.
for Windows, click the Windows button then Control Panel then User Accounts and Family Safety to make user accounts and set parental controls. Check your search engine is set to ultra safe search. e.g. on Google click settings then search settings then scroll down and select strict filtering then save preferences.
Warn children not to give out any personal details or meet anyone off-line. Look at the sites they visit and, if appropriate, make sure they are monitored by a moderator. Set strict privacy settings for Facebook.

Mobile phones. It's easy to forget that smart phones have internet access. Call your phone provider and ask them to add parental restrictions to your child's mobile phone account. You can also download safe browsers for a small fee (e.g. www.mobicip.com for iPhones, Android etc.).

iOS, iPad, iPhone, iPod. The default browser on mobile Apple devices is Safari which cannot be set to restrict inappropriate sites. But you can disable Safari and replace it with a family-friendly browser app. (e.g. www.mobicip.com, http://www1.k9webprotection.com/, see www.apple.com/itunes for more options). To disable Safari go to settings then general then restrictions. You can also choose whether to block YouTube, what type of video content to allow etc.

For more detailed and up-to-date advice and internet safety tips for kids see the links below. www.kidsmart.org.uk is especially useful.

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BBC

For parents
Useful tips on keeping kids safe on line.
www.bbc.co.uk/webwise/topics/safety-and-privacy/online-safety-for-parents

Bing To set SafeSearch on Bing click preferences then general, then SafeSearch then strict.
CBBC stay safe For kids
Some child-friendly advice on staying safe.
www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/help/web/staysafe
CEOPS Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre. Runs very useful website about online safety: see Thinkuknow below
www.ceop.police.uk
Chatdanger A website for young people about the potential dangers on interactive services online like chat, IM, online games, email and mobiles.
www.chatdanger.com (for kids)

Childline

For kids
Free 24 hour helpline for children with any problem including those encountered via internet.
0800 1111
www.childline.org.uk

Childnet

Non-profit organisation working with others to “help make the Internet a great and safe place for children”. Portal to several useful sites advising kids and carers on internet safety.
www.childnet-int.org

CyberMentors

For young people to help and support each other online.
If you're being bullied, or are feeling a bit low, or are maybe troubled by something and you're not sure what to do or who to talk to, then CyberMentors is where you can go for help.
http://cybermentors.org.uk

Digizen For parents and young people. Strengthens awareness of what digital citizenship is and shares specific advice and resources on issues such as social networking and cyberbullying.
www.digizen.org
Facebook

Set strict privacy settings. The default settings change frequently so keep an eye on this. But the main principle is to choose settings so that only accepted friends can see your child's Facebook info, photos and wall. Go to the drop down arrow at the top right side of the Facebook page, choose privacy settings, under Control Your Default Privacy select friends so that only friends see most of your child's profile. Then go through all the sections picking your settings. To check you've done this correctly, get someone who is not "friends" on Facebook with your child to look for their profile and make sure they cannot see anything except the name and profile photo.
Tell your child to only accept friend requests from people they know personally in the real world. Never share a password.

Mobile phone numbers should not be posted.
Ensure your child knows how to block people.
Advise your child to think before they post: a careless comment can be seen as bullying. One way to make your teenager take this seriously is to remind them that posts can be saved, printed out and shown to the headteacher! (The same applies to messages and texts.)

www.facebook.com/help/parents

For a detailed explanation of Facebook and its settings see a Parent's Guide to Facebook:

www.connectsafely.org/pdfs/fbparents.pdf

Gaming Devices Use the parental control settings to restrict games based on age settings i.e. choose the highest game rating based on your child's age so that a young child cannot play a violent 18+ game for example. Also set restrictions for buying games so your chid cannot run up a nice big surprise bill by downloading games. Apply web filtering or restrict internet access. Make sure your settings are password protected.
For some general safety advice and clear explanations on how to set these restrictions for the various game consoles including Nintendo DSi, 3DS and the Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP) PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii see
www.saferinternet.org.uk/advice-and-resources/a-parents-guide/gaming-devices/

Getnetwise

For parents
Full list of protection software.
www.getnetwise.org

Google Safesearch Click settings then search settings then scroll down and select strict filtering then save preferences.
http://support.google.com/websearch/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=510
If you have a Google account (free) you can lock your safe settings. http://support.google.com/websearch/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=144686
Smart older kids may just switch to another search engine so don't forget to do change those settings too.

Internet Watch

For parents
For reporting anything you think might be illegal.
www.iwf.org.uk

iPad & iPod Touch

To set parental controls on iPad & iPod Touch go to settings then general then restrictions. You can set a password and choose your settings e.g. whether to disable Safari or YouTube, what type of video content to allow, whether to restrict access to new apps from iTunes etc.
The browser on mobile Apple devices is Safari which does not have parental controls. But you can disable Safari and replace it with a family-friendly browser app. from
iTunes . Popular apps which restrict adult content are www.mobicip.com and http://www1.k9webprotection.com/.
There's a very clear step-by-step guide to setting up parental controls on iPhone & iPod Touch

http://knol.google.com/k/how-to-setup-parental-controls-on-iphone-ipod-touch

Also look at:
www.saferinternet.org.uk/advice-and-resources/a-parents-guide/internet-enabled-devices/

There are some more iPad Family Safety Tips at http://community.norton.com/t5/Ask-Marian/iPad-Family-Safety-Tips/ba-p/221041

Kidsmart Run by Childnet. Sections for children, parents and schools. Very useful advice on using mobiles, cyberbullying, safe searching, social networking.
www.kidsmart.org.uk
Know it All for Parents Simple guide to the internet for families. Particularly useful if you're not a techie. Produced by the children’s internet charity Childnet International.
www.childnet.com/kia/parents/cd/textVersion/index.html
The Lucy Faithfull Foundation The Lucy Faithfull Foundation is the only UK-wide child protection charity committed solely to reducing the risk of children being sexually abused. Specialist staff work with all those affected by abuse including adult male and female sexual abusers; young people with inappropriate sexual behaviours; victims of abuse and other family members. Drawing on expert knowledge the Foundation offers a broad range of services for professionals and members of the public.
www.lucyfaithfull.org.uk
Nintendo DSi Setting Parental Controls on the Nintendo DSi
www.commonsensemedia.org/videos/setting-parental-controls-nintendo-dsi
Parents Protect

Parents Protect is a child sexual abuse prevention and awareness website which helps adults do the best they can to protect children from sexual abuse. The site is a useful resource of information and guidance and features a 30-minute learning programme.
www.parentsprotect.co.uk

Safer Internet Centre see UK Safer Internet Centre below
Sorted Website for young people about keeping your personal information safe online.
www.childnet.com/sorted/
Smart Phones, Mobile Phones It's easy to forget that kids' smart phones have internet access too. Even if you bought the phone clearly stating that it was for a child your phone provider will probably assume the phone user is an adult. Call your phone provider and ask them to add parental restrictions to your child's mobile phone account. Make sure you have a password so only you can change this. You can also download child safe browsers for a small fee (e.g. www.mobicip.com for iPhones, Android etc.).
T
ell your child not to give out mobile numbers to strangers or post it on message boards, Facebook etc.
Advise them to never reply to texts or calls from people they don't know inc. spam.
Switch off the "location service" which can indicate to other people where the phone user is. To do this go to the phone's settings or speak to your mobile provider.
Ensure your child knows how to block people who send unwanted texts.
As well as protecting your child, make sure they understand the importance of thinking about how they communicate with others. A hurtful (even if unintentional) text or bit of gossip can be seen as bullying. Remind them that messages can be "screen munched" (saved) so not to write anything they wouldn't want saved.
For more info see this great fact sheet with a checklist on mobile phone safety:
www.childnet-int.org/downloads/factsheet-mobiles.pdf

And for clear explanations about smart phone uses, dangers and safety advice for iPhones, BlackBerry (BBM) and Android phones see
www.saferinternet.org.uk/advice-and-resources/a-parents-guide/smartphones

Stop it Now!

www.stopitnow.org.uk is a useful website for anyone with concerns about child sexual abuse. The Stop it Now! campaign operates a confidential freephone Helpline for any adult with concerns about child sexual abuse. This includes those worried about the behaviour of another adult towards a child or children, those worried about their own thoughts or behaviour towards children and those concerned about the sexual behaviour of a child or young person
0808 1000 900
help@stopitnow.org.uk

www.stopitnow.org.uk

Thinkuknow

For kids, parents and teachers
Different sections for different age groups suggesting how to use the internet safely. Also useful tips and a leaflet on how to protect your children online.
www.thinkuknow.co.uk

UK Safer Internet Centre

Lots of useful advice on how to use the internet and new technologies safely and responsibly. Also find a range of practical resources, news and events.

www.saferinternet.org.uk

Windows You can set parental controls for Windows but first you need to set up a user account for your child. Click the Windows button then Control Panel then User Accounts and Family Safety to make user accounts and set parental controls.
www.which.co.uk/technology/computing/guides/how-to-secure-microsoft-vista/
   
This stuff changes fast. If you notice anything wrong or out of date above please let us know.
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safe fun websites for kids
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