The FA recommends you take these tips on board and also look at the 'Thinkuknow' site.
- Know what your children are doing online and who they are talking to. Ask them to teach you to use any applications you have never used, such as a social networking site or online chat room.
- Help your children to understand that they should never give out personal details to online friends - personal information includes their instant messenger id, email address, mobile phone number and any pictures of themselves, their family or friends - if your child publishes a picture or video online - anyone can change it or share it and it may be online forever.
- If your child receives SPAM/junk email and texts remind them never to believe them, reply to them or use them.
- It's not a good idea for your child to open files that are from people they don't know. They wont know what they contain - it could be a virus or worse. Help your child to understand that some people may not tell the truth online and therefore internet friends should remain online. They should never meet up with any strangers in the real world without an adult they trust being present.
- Always make sure your child feels comfortable in being able to come to you or someone they trust if they are worried about anything online. Teach young people how to block someone online and report them if they feel uncomfortable. Most sites will have guidance on this and any reports can be made directly to the CEOP Centre via http://www.ceop.police.uk/reportabuse/
You can visit the 'Thinkuknow' website for further information.