Social networking has been – and still is – one of the revolutions of the online age and when used correctly is an excellent way of keeping in touch with friends and family. But it can also be a source of harm for your child (or for you and other family members, via your child). […]

Online games can be great fun for children, but there are several risks involved, which you can reduce with the correct approach.

The internet is a great resource for research for your child’s homework and coursework. Unfortunately, however, it can be very easy and tempting to copy information straight from a website and pass it off as his or her own work, which represents plariarism. There are even many websites that offer essays and coursework for sale.

Just being able to use the internet does certainly not mean that your child has the maturity or experience to handle everything they might find there.

The same advice applies to texting as it does to emailing or social networking: children could be duped into thinking they’re texting (and being texted by) someone they know, whereas in fact it’s a stranger who is on the other end. Not only this, but sending explicit images or video to schoolfriends and other acquaintances […]

Your child’s passwords are the key to their online life, just as yours are for you. You know the importance of choosing safe passwords … and keeping them to yourself. For your child, it may not be so obvious.

Unlike when they’re meeting someone face-to-face, children don’t always know who they’re actually ‘talking’ to online, even if they think they do. This makes it easy for someone who may want to hurt your child, to pretend they are someone else and become their ‘friend’.

Online bullying – like bullying in the playground, street or home – can cause children misery. You should guide your child to always tell you if this is happening to them.

You should make your children aware that they mustn’t reveal any information that allows a stranger access to their or your personal or financial information.

Unfortunately, social networking sites are a very popular place for people trying to trip you or your child up. Your child will probably not be as cautious as you are, so you need to point out the dangers.