Experts give online safety advice

Pupils are taught personal safety on the internet

Police and internet experts have visited schools across Northern Ireland to encourage children to be careful while they are online.

It follows research which suggested almost half of children aged as young as 11 had given out personal information to people in web chatrooms.

Childnet International, Microsoft and MSN gave advice at 17 schools.

Jim Gamble of the National Crime Squad, said the campaign would empower young people "to stay safe online".

He added: "As a consequence, it will make it as difficult as possible for those people who use the internet to commit child abuse."

We hope the resources and the volunteer programme will enable a meaningful dialogue between young people, teachers and parents Stephen Carrick-Davies Childnet International

About 4,000 children and their teachers are expected to benefit from the Getting to Know IT All sessions.

Joe Macri of Microsoft Ireland said while the internet provided vast benefits, it was crucial children were educated to protect themselves while online.

"As parents and responsible citizens, we are all concerned that our children are able to enjoy and safely use the internet," he said.

Stephen Carrick-Davies of Childnet International said through its experience of working in schools, teachers needed practical support and resources to help young people understand internet and mobile phones safety.

"We hope the resources and the volunteer programme will enable a meaningful dialogue between young people, teachers and parents," he said.

Superintendent Andy McQuiggan, head of the PSNI's Community Safety Branch PSNI, said the project complemented the ongoing work of its officers in schools across Northern Ireland.