PC Corner - Protect Children Online

The internet is a essential tool for children to complete their homework and to be computer literate. Unfortunately, there are people on the internet that want to take advantage of the anonymity that the internet offers. The following is a list of questions that might help your child spot whether they are talking to a paedophile.

• Where is your computer? Lounge, bedroom,...
  The safest answer is to say it is a shared PC in your father's study. The paedophile is less likely to send chat requests when they know a parent may be logged on at the time...
• Can you keep a secret?
  Can you be trusted to keep secrets from your parents.
• Please send me a photo of you
  Play safe and say you don't have a digital camera yet. Photos can be posted onto web sites or distributed amongst their friends as pornographic literature. Group photos are safer than individual ones.
• Do you like your parents?
  Say yes, but don't overdo this by saying your parents are fantastic! The important thing is to show that you are not vulnerable.
• Can we start a private chat or go to an unmoderated chat site?
  Say no. Stay where there are others that can see what is being said.
• Send me your email address so we can chat easier?
  Stick to the chat rooms. Never send your email address, mobile phone number or any other personal information.

It will be impossible to prevent children accessing the internet. Mobile phones now have internet browsers... It is better to allow access through a PC that is in a shared area of the house and installing parental control software such as iProtectYou Web Filter from www.softforyou.com.

To find out more, visit www.chatdanger.com.