Celebrating Safer Internet Day in Surrey

8 February 2011

Parents and children receive crucial internet safety messages

Stop it Now! UK and Ireland and the Lucy Faithfull Foundation are supporting European Safer Internet Day 2011 (Tuesday, February 8th) by delivering internet safety seminars to 225 Surrey school children and their parents.

Director of Stop it Now! Donald Findlater said: "With 79% of young people using the Internet privately, without their parents' supervision, it is vital they receive information about how to keep themselves safe. Equally, parents need to understand what the risks are, what they can do to minimise them and how to talk to their children about what they are doing online, just as they talk to them about their offline activities."

Three seminars will take place at Cranleigh Prep for children in years 5/6, 7/8 and their parents. The children's sessions will focus on managing their online behaviour, sharing personal information (from names and address to what they plan on doing at the weekend), the difference between real friends and people they only know online, privacy settings, cyber bullying and the importance of talking to a trusted adult if something happens online that upsets them or makes them feel uncomfortable.

Their parents will receive practical advice and information on how to keep their children safe including; suggestions on how to start important conversations with their children about their use of the internet, tips they can implement immediately to help them manage their child's online behaviour and where to go for advice and support if they need it.

"For parents, it's not about knowing the technology inside out," said Donald Findlater. "It's about understanding what can happen if a child is given free reign on the internet. We encourage parents to become more involved in their child's online life and talk to them about what sites they are using, what they are posting and who they are talking to. It's about parents helping their children develop the life skills needed to make sensible and safe choices."

Stella Gravill, (Deputy Head) Cranleigh Prep said: "Children are using the internet from a very early age and know their way around computers. As well as understanding possible risks others can pose to them and the ways in which they can protect themselves, children also need to be taught about behaving responsibly. They need to learn that what they post or email can have an impact on themselves and others and that once something is sent, it cannot be taken back."

The seminars are supported by the online resource www.parentsprotect.co.uk – a website dedicated to helping parents and carers protect children from sexual abuse. The site is continually updated and along with holding a learning programme addressing key issues around child sexual abuse, it features an expanding ‘Internet Safety' section. (live from Feb 8th)

"Parents of Primary school children can actively help their child learn important safety messages by working through Childnet's ‘Smart Crew' online videos," said Donald. "There are five episodes online – one for each week day – which parents can watch with their children. These are a great resource and helps drum home some of the key messages."

Stop it Now! and the Lucy Faithfull Foundation are looking to arrange further seminars with schools across Surrey over the next school year. Anyone interested in attending a seminar, or schools that are keen to host either a child or parent event, can contact Seminar Coordinator, Steph Hunter on 01372 847160 or email . Information on the Stop it Now! campaign can be found on our website at www.stopitnow.org.uk. People seeking advice or information can call the Stop it Now! confidential, free phone helpline on 0808 1000 900.

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