On the Web

The internet is a great place to find and share information. It’s also a social place that lets you keep in touch with friends.

Although the internet may not seem ‘real’ and we often access it within the safety and comfort of our own home, it is still an environment like any other which brings with it risks and dangers.

It is important to use the internet responsibly, to report those who abuse it and to take some simple and practical steps to protect you and your family from ‘cyber crimes’.

Protecting children and young people

The ThinkYouKnow website contains information and advice on keeping your children safe online. It also has a great section of frequently asked questions on issues like social networking, gaming and chatting.

The site also tackles subjects like grooming and gives advice for parents and guardians on talking about online safety with children and young people.  

If you have reasons to suspect your child is being groomed online please report it to Devon and Cornwall Police on 101 (non-emergency).

The website also has sections for specific age groups including 5 – 7 years, 8 – 10 years and 11 – 16 years, as well as information for parents/guardians and teachers.

There is also additional information about how to report internet abuse against your child.

Genral internet safety

• Don't take other people at face value - they may not be what they seem.
• Never arrange to meet someone you've only ever previously met on the internet, without telling a friend and giving them as much detail about the person you're meeting and where you’re going to be.
• Don’t announce that you’re going away on holiday via Social Networks (you may be able to trust your friends to know your house is unoccupied, but what about their friends?).
• Think about what you say online. How we behave online shouldn't really be any different to how we behave in real life and everybody has to take personal responsibility for both of those things.
• Don't open an attachment or download files unless you know and trust the person who has sent it.
• If somebody is abusive to you or a member of your family online, don’t respond to them directly and remember to report them.

Find out more

You can find out more about internet safety on a variety of websites including the Personal Safety Advice website which contains information about online banking, shopping, chat rooms and social networking.

To find out how to report internet abuse, visit the Devon and Cornwall police internet abuse website.