08/02/10 Safer Internet Day - Highlighting dangers

This year's Safer Internet Day, on Tuesday 9 February, will be highlighting the dangers of the internet and raising awareness of how to stay safe online.

'The internet is a wonderful resource, both educationally and socially. However you would not let a stranger come and play with your children in your home and that is how you should view the internet. It's a portal into your children's lives for thousands of strangers,' said Detective Sergeant Dave Shipley, from the Kent Police team responsible for handling internet crime.

He said parents/carers need to be aware of how to monitor their children's online activity and the software available to restrict access to websites and impose time locks.

• younger children should only use the internet in communal rooms, not in private, so parents can see what their children are chatting about and who too
• older children, who have the internet in their room, should be told to keep the door open
• parents who have children using social networking sites, such as Facebook, Bebo and MySpace, should become a 'friend' of their child to see what they are posting online
• security products can be installed that allow parents/carers to block certain websites, implement time limits and monitor activity.

Visit our internet safety page to find links to organisations that can offer more guidance on keeping children safe on the internet.

Detective Sergeant Shipley also highlighted the risks linked to allowing children to use a webcam, he said: 'Webcams are a primary route for grooming children by sex offenders. Children can be encouraged to do things they would never normally do.

'Sadly, once images are given via email or webcam, they remain on the internet forever and cannot be retrieved.'

Kent County Council e-safety officer Rebecca Avery added: 'It is really important to work at internet safety. It is no different to teaching children how to stay safe when crossing the road. These aren't necessarily things we know without being taught.'  

In particular, children should be warned: 

• never to disclose their phone number or address to anyone they meet through the internet
• never to arrange to meet with anyone they have met on the internet
• not to accept 'friends' who claim to know their real friends. Paedophiles do use this to ingratiate themselves into children's lives

Kent Police's public protection crime unit is responsible for handling internet crime. In 2009, officers from the unit executed 56 search warrants and arrested 61 people for offences linked to the exploitation of children online.

Since May 2006, the team has protected 37 children from abuse and seen offenders sentenced to a total of 153 years in prison. When they are released from prison these offenders continue to be monitored as registered sex offenders.

If you are concerned about any content or activity on your child's internet and social networking sites then you should contact police.

You can report an issue by calling Kent Police on 01622 690690 or online through the ThinkUKnow website.

More Kent news here. Kent news updates free to your mailbox with the Kent Review.