Digital Thieves - CIFAS report on online fraud
Internet Safety
Online crime is rising and getting more sophisticated. Thankfully, there are some great websites that will help you and your family use the internet safely and securely.
- ThinkUknow - Information for children, teens, parents and teachers.
- Kidsmart - Aimed at teaching children the basics about surfing the web safely.
- DirectGov - advice for parents.
- Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre - tackles exploitation of children.
- Internet Watch Foundation - report criminal online content
- Fraudwatch International - information about identity theft, phishing and other types of online scams.
- Digital Thieves - a 28-page PDF report by CIFAS on online fraud. Contains tips on staying safe from online fraud, case studies and statistics.
- Locate the computer in a central, communal area of the house. Put it in the family room or the lounge - not in a child's bedroom.
- Establish specific times when access to the Internet is permitted and keep to that schedule.
- If your child uses a computer at school, call and see if his or her school has adopted an 'acceptable use policy' for the Internet. Ask for a copy of this 'AUP' and use it to establish your own guidelines at home.
- Limit the length of access time. This will encourage your child to go directly to the information required, rather than wander aimlessly around the Internet.
- Explain to your children that many sites on the Internet are not appropriate for children and they are expected to stay away from them.
- Advise your child never use their real name when using chatrooms or reveal any personal information.
- Consider installing software to monitor access to the Internet.
