Front page of this section

Protecting children

Own worst enemy

What should children learn?

What should schools do?

Engaging the children

Go to Part 1: 
The Risks

What should children learn?


So what should we teach our children to help them know how to keep themselves safe when using mobile phones, chatrooms and social networking sites such as Bebo, MySpace and Facebook?

It’s difficult to create a definitive list of advice but the overarching advice includes:

  • Don’t post personal information
  • Keep your password safe
  • Don’t post photographs, especially ones you wouldn’t want your parents to see
  • Remember that once you post it you lose it
Bear in mind that people may not be who they say they are. It might be 13 year old Danny but it might be a 40-year old man.


A list of websites designed for children can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/qcm5mh. Sites include:
ChildNet, Kidscape, Chatdanger, Bullying Online, Childline,

The European Internet Safety Portal at http://keepcontrol.eu/ has the following advice to help children deal with Cyberbullying.

  • Keep the message: you don't have to read it, but keep it as proof of harassment. It is vital to have a record of the incident when you look for help or want to report it.

  • Report problems to people who can do something about it. You can take control by not putting up with offensive content or by reporting it to the website owners when you come across it. Incidents that could be illegal should be reported to the authorities.

  • Block the sender. You don’t have to put up with someone harassing you - block unwanted senders!

  • Tell someone you trust. Talking to your parents, friends, a teacher, youth leader is usually the first step in dealing with any issue.

  • Respect yourself and respect others - being online is very public and very real, although it doesn’t always feel that way. Know your rights www.thinkuknow.co.uk!

  • Be creative! Be yourself! Be in control!

There is also an extensive page of advice entitled “Europe Safety Tips” at: http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/activities/sip/safety_tips/index_en.htm

This is designed for adults and it gives extensive information under the following headings:

  • Social networking, chat and risks with online communication

  • Blogs

  • Bullying and Cyber bullying

  • Illegal content - Child sexual abuse material (child pornography)

  • E-commerce / Phishing / Identity theft

  • File sharing

  • Parental control: Filtering, Labels

  • Mobile phones

  • Online gaming and gambling

  • Privacy

  • Racism on the Internet

  • Spam

  • Virus, spyware, etc.

Turn to next page