Internet safety

Internet safety for children has become a global issue. ECPAT NZ understands you may have concerns about the Internet and encourages wise use.

Parents and Caregivers

The Internet is used by children to share information, explore new interests, communicate with friends and carry out research or homework.

Children may unintentionally visit sites containing harmful or objectionable material.

To avoid this, parents and caregivers can educate themself and their children about wise Internet use.

ECPAT NZ encourages parents and caregivers to:

Discuss online dangers with children.
Keep the computer in a public area of the home.
Monitor Internet use.
Spend time online with their children exploring their favourite sites.
Randomly check children's email.
Never allow a child to arrange a face-to-face meeting with another computer user without parental permission. If a meeting is arranged, make it a public spot, and be sure to accompany your child.
Consider installing filtering software.
Consider using an Internet Service Provider which blocks unsuitable material. Visit www.watchdog.net.nz
Never give out identifying information - home address, school name, or telephone number- in a public arena such as chat or bulletin boards, and be sure you're dealing with someone that both you and your child know and trust before giving it out via E-mail.
Never respond to messages or bulletin board items that are suggestive, obscene, belligerent, threatening, or make you feel uncomfortable. Encourage your children to tell you if they encounter such messages.
Never give your child your credit card number: if they need to make an online purchase, enter the number for them.
Raise the issue of Internet safety in all the places your child uses computers. Find out whether computer safeguards are in use at your child's school, the public library and at the homes of your child's friends.

How could you monitor your child's Internet activities? Read our tips (PDF).

Mouse Tips For Kids

The Internet is used by children to share information, explore new interests, communicate with friends and carry out research or homework.

Children may unintentionally visit sites containing harmful or objectionable material.

To avoid this, parents and caregivers can educate themself and their children about wise Internet use.

ECPAT NZ encourages parents, caregivers and children to remember our mouse tips: "4 NEVERs, forever".

Information Session

ECPAT NZ offers informal discussion groups for parents. To register interest, please contact us.

Internet Resource Kit

The IRK was distributed to all New Zealand schools and libraries to outline Internet safety issues. It provides practical information for educators. For details, please contact us.