Now that the school holidays have started, children and young people will be spending more time on-line. I am somewhat limited myself in this area, like many people of my generation.
I know that the internet offers many opportunities for fun and learning at the click of a mouse and that children and young people are making increasing use of it.
But I also know that many parents are worried that their children will misuse the internet or be misled by unscrupulous people.
The communications regulator, the Office of Communications (Ofcom) has been in touch with me to highlight the need for parents and children to have the right skills and information to help keep them safe on-line.
They tell me that about two in three people between the ages of 5 and 15 now use the internet at home.
They also say that one fifth of 5-7 year olds use the internet without an adult present, as do half of 8-11 year olds and two-thirds of 12-15s.
12-15 year olds say they spend an average of nearly 14 hours a week on-line. I guess that this is much higher in the summer.
Ofcom says that this on-line activity includes playing games, watching videos, downloading music and talking to friends on Instant Messaging and social networking sites.
Over a third of 12-15 year olds say they mostly access the internet in their bedroom -well away from adult supervision. During this time they could encounter inappropriate or even potentially harmful content.
Ofcom has published some top tips for parents to help keep children safe on-line.
Full advice on helping keep kids safe from inappropriate content can be found at: www.ofcom.org.uk/advice/guides/media/managemedia.pdf
Watch Ofcom's video and learn how to apply parental controls at: www.ofcom.org.uk/advice/guides/media/
Newcastle Chronicle and Journal
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