AS THE new school terms begins, Microsoft Ireland has issued a series of simple guidelines to parents to ensure that their children stay safe while using the internet.

Dr Kevin Marshall, Education Director at Microsoft Ireland, has said that parents and guardians should also take their time when choosing a computer and to educate themselves on internet safety.

“The internet is a wonderful educational tool and children’s use of the web is increasing every day. Although this gives them huge advantages, we need to recognize that certain basic things need to be done in order to ensure the safety of our children when online,” he said.

“As a parent myself, I am very aware of the risks of giving my children access to the internet. I would recommend parents today take heed of some simple guidelines will ensure that your children maximise the benefits of the internet while avoiding any potential issues.”

Microsoft is recommending that parents and guardians talk about potential dangers and concerns with their children as well as encouraging children to talk to them about what they do on the internet.

Other tips include urging children to talk about anything ‘uncomfortable’ they find; checking the history section of your web browser for suitability of sites and chat rooms; only setting up the computer in a public area of the home where children’s activities can be monitored and setting rules about when the internet can be accessed and for how long.

Dr Marchall also advised parents to make clear rules that children can never give out personal information online or meet ‘online friends’ without permission and also encouraged parents to check the emails of younger children as well as phone bills.

Many new PCs, such as those running Windows Vista include built-in parental controls, which enable parents to manage children’s use of the computer from the times they are allowed online to the types of site they can visit.

Microsoft has also launched a new back to school web site at www.microsoft.com/ireland/backtoschool/.