Many parents are worried about letting their child use the internet. Here are some tips to help your child use computers and the internet safely.

Keep your computer in a family room or an open space where you can watch what your child is doing, and can control how long your child is on the computer.

Spending a long time on the computer may cause headaches, eyestrain or other physical problems. Make sure that your child spends only one or two hours a day in front of a computer screen.

Discuss with your child which sites you are happy for them to look at, and have a look at your child's favourite sites yourself. Teach your child to use search engines, and look at sites together.

If you or your child comes across unsuitable material in an email, advert or website, then contact your ISP

Make sure that your child does not give personal information over the web (name, age, address, telephone number). Teach your child to ask you first. Check that sites have privacy policies if you do send details.

Make sure that your child asks your permission before entering any competitions or downloading any materials.

Make sure that your child does not post any photos of himself/herself on the web.

Teach your child not to click on links in emails, unless they know who the email is from.

Teach your child not to make arrangements to meet anyone that they have met on the web.

Make sure that your child keeps their internet passwords a secret.

Teach your child to tell you if they see anything that they think is suspicious or that they don't like.

Write a list of rules and guidelines for using the computer and internet. Show them to your child, and make sure your child understands why there are rules. Stick the rules up next to the computer.