Safeguarding Children Using Computers

As the internet changes, the basic principles of what young people go online for and the basic principles of staying safe remain almost unchanged.  For the vast majority of children, participating online allows them to chat, message, network and game.  We don’t expect foster carers to become computer experts, but it is helpful if you speak to young people in your home and find out what they are getting out of the internet.

• Children and young people can be vulnerable when using the internet through meeting people in chat rooms and accessing inappropriate material.
• Some adults use the internet to manipulate children and young people which can lead to emotional, sexual or physical abuse.
• Carers need to take action to prevent children and young people from accessing inappropriate and dangerous websites.
• Personal information should never be given out or displayed online – age, gender, address, telephone numbers, passwords and PIN numbers. If you need to use personal information to purchase goods online, only use a trusted and secure website.
• Language – chat users will abbreviate and shorten words to make it quicker to communicate.  For example, POS Parent over shoulder.  Sites such as www.thinkuknow.co.uk have glossaries of chat speak.