How to stay safe

Everyone your child meets online is a stranger, even though they might seem like a friend.

Here are the main things your child needs to do to stay safe on the internet:

• always use a nickname when you log on 
• never give out personal details (name, home or school address, telephone number, personal email or mobile number) 
• never arrange to meet someone you make friends with online 
• if you really want to meet someone, make sure you go with a trusted adult and meet in a public place 
• try to have online conversations in public chat rooms 
• don't open any e-mails or files you don’t trust. E-mails or files can hide viruses, nasty messages or links to things you don't want to see 
• talk to an adult you know well and ask for help if you're worried or upset about anything you've seen or been sent online.