Online Safety

The Internet provides wonderful opportunities for communication, education and entertainment but unfortunately there are also risks associated with it. Many parents find it difficult to discuss Internet usage with their children because they don't understand the "jargon". We have tried to gather together on this page, some advice that can be easily understood by anybody - even if they don't know their 'bits' from their 'bytes'.

Staying Safe on the Internet

There is a lot of good advice available to parents & students about staying safe online:

  • Yahooiligans: Has a parents area with a lot of useful advice for parents about keeping the whole family safe online.
  • Irish Hotline: A website run by the Internet Service Provider Association of Ireland (ISPAI). It has a lot of useful advice about how to keep both yourself and your family safe while online. They also have a confidential reporting facility which you can use if you or anyone in your family see anything upsetting online.

10 Commandments For Young "Internauts"

The following list, adapted from a campaign by the Action Innocence organisation, is useful for "internauts" of any age but especially for younger surfers. These tips are also available in a Printer Friendly Version which we encourage you to print and display promiently beside your computer.

10 Tips
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  1. Be careful - you don't know who is behind the screen!
  2. Never tell anyone your name or age!
  3. Never tell anyone your password!
  4. Be very careful when you "chat"!
  5. Never tell anyone your address or where you live!
  6. Do not send your photo to anyone!
  7. Never arrange to meet someone without teilling one of your parents/guardians!
  8. Don't believe everything people tell you!
  9. Never reply to emails which shock you!
  10. If what you see on the screen upsets you, leave the Website or call one of your parents/guardians!
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