We’ve had a few queries about children using the internet.

We are very happy for children to use the Hayling Internet cafe but we prefer they let their parents know they are here for obvious reasons.

We have provides a list of resources if you would like information on children using the internet.

Commercial Plug

If you need help setting up or installing software please Contact Us.

We can provide software purchasing, installation and training. Likewise if you would like to learn more about web sites such as Facebook or Myspace we can arrange an introductory lesson to social networking sites.

Here are some resources to help you out.

Essential Safety Rules

The internet can be fun and is a great source of information.  However you must also be careful and follow a few simple tips to ensure that you surf safely:

• Keep all personal information secret - this includes name, age, sex, home address, landline and mobile numbers, bank details, PIN numbers, passwords and user names. If it is necessary to supply details for registration, or to buy something, your child should always ask for permission and help from you.
• Remember, an online friend is a stranger in the real world so your child should never arrange to meet someone they have met via the internet without your knowledge and permission. You will go with your child if they do arrange to meet an online friend.
• Your child should not give any indication of their age or sex in a personal email address. Tell children not to give out their personal details. If they want to subscribe to any services online, make up a family email address to receive the mail. 
• Children love to chat, but make sure they only use moderated chat rooms and encourage them to introduce you to their online friends. No one should visit private areas of chat rooms - all chat rooms visited should be moderated and child friendly.
• No one should respond, reply or unsubscribe to unwanted email or spam.
• If your child receives frightening or bullying emails, or any spam with unacceptable content, they should tell you - it is not their fault that they have received them.
• Consider using internet filtering software, walled gardens and child-friendly search engines. Use your browser's controls as some offer differing degrees of security for each family member. 
• Check out what child protection services your Internet Service Provider (ISP) offers - do they filter for spam, for instance? If not, ask them why.
• Keep the computer in a communal area of the house, where it's easier to monitor what your children are viewing.
• Encourage your children to tell you if they feel uncomfortable, upset or threatened by anything they see online.
• Involve your children in writing your own family code of acceptable internet use. Remember that what's acceptable for a teenager isn't necessarily OK for a primary school-aged child, so get their input. 
• Computer kit is expensive so bear in mind that a child with a laptop may be vulnerable when carrying it to and from school. 
• The web's a great resource for homework, but remember to use more than one site in research to get broad, balanced information and always reference your research sources.
• Surf together. Go online with your children and become part of their online life. The key to safe surfing is communication.

Documents you can Download

If you’re short of time here are a few documents worth downloading (in PDF format) for reading later.

• BBC Chatwise 
  http://www.bbc.co.uk/chatguide/
  >> Download Chatguide PDF (378kb)
• Childnet International
  http://www.childnet-int.org/safety/factsheets.aspx
  Link to factsheets for download.

Website Dealing with Child Safety on the Internet

For more information about safe surfing visit:

• Get Safe Online
  http://www.getsafeonline.org/
  Site to promote online safety.
• Kidsmart Project
  www.kidsmart.org.uk
  A practical internet safety programme website for schools, young people, parents, and agencies, produced by the children's internet charity, Childnet International.
• Parents Centre
  http://www.parentscentre.gov.uk/
  Information for different groups including, schools and parents.
  We particularly like the way the site groups resources by ages groups.
  They also have a Family Code page to help you agree a set of rules with your children.
• Childline
  www.childline.org.uk
  Championing the needs and issues of children and young people, offering advise and protection to those who may feel they have nowhere else to turn.
• Get Net Safety
  http://kids.getnetwise.org/
  About Kids Safety.

Anti-Virus and Firewall

Your new computer probably came with a free 90-day trial of an anti-virus / firewall product. Make sure when the trial runs out that you either continue with a paid subscription or download Free products available on the internet.

A safe place to get hold of software is www.download.com  - The software is tested to ensure it is free from spyware.

We recommend :

Anti-Virus

• Free – AVG 8
• Paid – Kasperky 

Firewall

• Free – Zone Alarm
• Paid – Kaspersky

Hayling Internet can setup and install software if required.

Internet Filtering Software

It’s possible to install software to control and monitor computer being used by children. Sometimes your ISP can also provide software to do this. An example is BT Netprotect Plus (Which requires a BT Connect Account).

Computing Which? recommends the following tips for protecting children online:

• Keep the computer in a shared living area — not a child's bedroom
• Supervise children's online activities
• Encourage children to discuss any unsavoury content they've found
• Warn children about the potential dangers of chatrooms
• Use parental control software but don't over rely on it
• Change your parental control access password regularly

* Computing Which? looked at six parental-control PC packages in August 2005:

• Net Nanny 5.1 www.netnanny.com
• AOL 9.0 www.aol.co.uk
• Cyber Patrol 7 www.cyberpatrol.com
• McAfee Internet Security Suite www.mcafee.co.uk
• MSN Premium www.msn.co.uk
• Norton Internet Security 2005 www.symantec.co.uk
• Mac OS X Tiger www.apple.com/uk.

Also, Windows Vista comes with Parental Controls that allow you to control the computer. You setup a restricted account for your children and a master account for yourself to administer the computer.