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Internet safety

A survey from UK online centres has found that while three-quarters of mums and dads knew their children were regular internet-users, half of them didn't think their own internet or IT skills were good enough to supervise or assist with surfing. Topping the list of concerns were internet predators, inappropriate images and fraudsters. Other worries included cyber-bullying and the information children were sharing through social networking sites.

Get online

Now parents can learn more about all sorts of internet safety issues - at their nearest UK online centre. UK online centres across the country help hundreds of people get online every day with 'myguide' - the easy way to use the internet. A new myguide taster course, called 'Using the internet safely', has just been launched to give anyone worried about inernet safety an introduction to possible pitfalls and the ways to avoid them. The course includes basic information on computer security, protecting personal data and helping children stay safe online.

Managing Director of UK online centres, Helen Milner, explains:

"It may seem a bit odd asking off-line parents to get online to learn more about internet safety, but actually it makes perfect sense. Nothing is half as scary when you know a bit about it, and the best way to put your fears to rest and understand what your children are doing is to give the internet a go for yourself. "With myguide, using the internet is easy. Everything is made really simple and intuitive - it doesn't matter if you've never even touched a computer before because with myguide you can start from the beginning - set up an email account, search for information and even learn how to use a keyboard and mouse.

"If you know a bit about the internet, you can log onto myguide and try all its courses for yourself - with maybe a bit of help from your internet-savvy kids! But if you're a bit more nervous, you can go into your nearest UK online centre and get as much help as you need to get going, get to grips with computers and the internet, and how get an introduction to online safety issues. Make sure you and your family get to make the most of the internet together, safely and happily."

Digital 'native', or 'novice'?

Minister for Schools, Jim Knight MP, welcomed the launch of the new course. He added:

"Schools today are populated by digital natives - children and young people for whom using the internet is intuitive, easy and an invaluable support to their learning. Parents naturally want to help their children make the most of the internet, but many of them, on the other hand, are digital novices. myguide is carefully designed for all those people who still lack the confidence and ability to use the web. It is proving very effective with early myguide users from all generations by tackling head-on the traditional complexity of the internet. Now it is tackling internet safety, a common concern, especially for those who are not so internet-savvy."

Find your nearest UK online centre by calling 0800 77 1234, or follow the link below to go straight to the new internet safety course at myguide.

• Log onto myguide (opens new window)

More from Directgov

• Helping someone get started online (home and community section)