SOLIHULL MP SUPPORTS OFCOM'S CAMPAIGN TO HELP KEEP KIDS SAFE ONLINE THIS SUMMER (North Shropshire Liberal Democrats)

North Shropshire Liberal Democrats <roma.hoseason@btinternet.com>

SOLIHULL MP SUPPORTS OFCOM'S CAMPAIGN TO HELP KEEP KIDS SAFE ONLINE THIS SUMMER

August 4, 2009 12:00 AM
Originally published by West Midlands Liberal Democrats

Solihull's MP, Lorely Burt today joined with communications regulator Ofcom to promote advice aimed at helping parents and carers improve child safety online during the school summer holidays.

The MP welcomed the campaign from Ofcom to raise awareness among parents and carers of how to help keep kids safe online, saying:

"The internet offers lots of opportunities for fun, learning and development at the click of a mouse, but it is important parents, carers and children have the right skills and information to keep them safe online. Knowing how to help keep kids safe online is a way parents can take control and have peace of mind."

John Carr, Secretary of the Children's Charities Commission on Internet Safety welcomed the campaign: "With children spending so much time online, often unsupervised, it is vital that they and their parents have the knowhow to have fun and stay safe."

Two-thirds of 5-7 year olds now use the internet at home, rising to over three-quarters of 8-11 year olds and over four-fifths of 12-15s. Of these, one fifth of 5 - 7 year olds use the internet without an adult present, as do nearly half of 8-11 year olds and two-thirds of 12-15s. 12-15 year olds say they spend an average of nearly 14 hours a week online.

They're engaged in a wide range of activities including playing games, watching videos, downloading music and talking to friends on Instant Messaging and social networking sites. And over one-third of 12-15 year olds say they mostly access the internet in their bedroom - in other words, well away from adult supervision. During this time they could encounter inappropriate or even potentially harmful content.

Ofcom has come up with some top tips to help parents and carers ensure children can enjoy the internet safely during the school holidays:

Top tips to keep kids safe online

• Talk to your child and get to know how they use the internet; ask to see some of their favourite sites

• Install filtering software to restrict access to inappropriate websites

• Make sure your children know not to share their personal details online, such as their address and phone number

• Make sure your children know why cyberbullying is wrong

• Encourage your children to let you know if something or someone online makes them feel uncomfortable or threatened.

A short consumer guide and a video showing how to help protect children from inappropriate or potentially harmful content are available on Ofcom's web site.

Robin Blake, Head of Media Literacy at Ofcom said "Young people have a real appetite to explore and in doing so they learn about the world around them. When they go out to play we set rules to help keep them safe; and it's no different when they explore the online world, and these top tips will help you keep them safe."