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Online safety

This page aims to help you use the internet in a safe way. It links to sites that are kept up to date with useful information, along with explanations and helpful hints for you and your family to get the most out of the internet.

Top five ways to stay safe online

  1. Never reveal personal details to people you only know online.

  2. Never go alone to meet someone you met on the internet. Children should always be accompanied by a trusted adult. Choose busy, public locations.

  3. Take control: follow the advice offered by social networking sites to keep you safe.

  4. Don’t open emails or files or accept downloads from people or sites you don’t know.

  5. Make sure your children learn and understand CBBC's safe surfing guide

Children and young people

If you're a child or a young person it's especially important to be safe when using the internet. To find out why and for more information about being safe online read below and then follow the links.

CBBC

For 7-10 year olds, CBBC’s Dongle the rabbit shows children how to surf the net safely through fun quizzes, factsheets and games.

CBBC’s safe surfing guide

Think you know

With different sections for 5-7 year olds, 8-10 year olds and 11-16 year olds, Think U Know has games, quizzes and videos about how to stay safe online and how to report abuse.

Think U know website

Kid Smart

Shows 8-12 year olds how to stay safe online using quizzes, posters, competitions and simple rules.

Kid Smart website

Childline - 0800 1111

For children of all ages, the ChildLine website offers advice on online safety issues including mobile, social networks and cyberbullying.

ChildLine website

bullying UK

Bullying UK offers help, advice and support to children and young people who are being bullied, whether it is online, by mobile, or in the real world.

Bullying UK

General and commercial

Aimed at industry and public bodies, there are many international and commercial organisations with useful web information for the public.

CEOP

The Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre provides a wide range of resources aimed at children, young people and adults.

Child Exploitation and Online Protection website

Childnet International

Childnet supports positive use of the internet by young people and children, while promoting safety and awareness.

Childnet International website

Internet watch foudation

Internet Watch Foundation provides general guidelines and FAQs, plus helpful age-related tips and links about computer security including advice for child safety.

Internet Watch Foundation website

Digizen.org

Digizen.org offers advice on how to be a good digital citizen, with everything from controlling your personal data online to cyber bullying.

Digizen.org website

Corporate information

Microsoft's site provides general guidelines and FAQs, plus age-related tips and links for safety with Microsoft products.

Microsoft web safety guidelines

MySpace safety contains safety tips, videos and resources, divided into areas for teens, parents and educators.

MySpace web safety guidelines

Google's online safety advice includes general guidelines as well as an explanation of its SafeSearch feature.

Google’s online safety webpage

If you’ve found suspicious content

If you’re concerned by something you’ve seen on the internet or you think it might be illegal, you can report it via the Internet Watch Foundation.

Teachers and schools

NOTE: The original Chatguide lesson plans and videos are no longer available. Instead we’ve linked to more recent resources.

Becta

Becta provides basic elements of good practice for schools to keep leaners safe while opening up new opportunities for learning and creativity.

Becta website

Think you know

Think U Know has a section for teachers, trainers and carers provided by the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre.

THINK U KNOW website

Kid Smart

KidSmart has articles, factsheets, lesson resources and activities focused around online and mobile.

Kid Smart website

Parents and carers

NOTE: The original Chatguide lesson plans and videos are no longer available. Instead we’ve linked to more recent resources.

Parent centre - helping you to help your child

Parents centre has articles and links to internet safety resources provided by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF).

Parents centre website

Ditectgov

Directgov includes helpful articles covering keeping children safe online and cyber bullying.

Directgov web safety guide

BBC Message boards

House rules and advice on how to use BBC message boards.

How to use BBC message boards

Webwise

Webwise has an updated guide that lets you ask questions and do courses online.

Webwise - the BBC's guide to using the internet

Learning Parents

The site has some simple rules on safety for children and young people.

BBC Learning Parents website

Think you know

Section for parents and carers from the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre.

THINK U KNOW website

Kid Smart

Articles, factsheets and tips about online and mobile use by children and young people.

Kid Smart website

Explore the BBC

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