Narberth - the Heart of Pembrokeshire in West Wales

Agencies in Pembrokeshire will be educating children and parents of the potential dangers of the internet

The initiative is part of activities for Safer Internet Day on 9th February and is aimed at protecting children from abuse through the medium of the Internet.

Over three days this week, pupils from primary and secondary School Councils across Pembrokeshire will be attending internet safety conferences.

School Liaison Officers will also be doing talks in school assemblies advising young people about how to stay safe on the internet.

They are also holding a number of parents' internet safety evenings to highlight the potential dangers of the internet.

Superintendent Reg Bevan said: "Although the Internet is a fantastic resource with amazing research and communication possibilities, unfortunately, it can be used by individuals who have inappropriate intentions to young people.

"Our intention is to raise public awareness not alarm and to work with parents and young people to help them stay safe when they log on."

Internet Safety Tips

• 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.
• Help your children to understand that they should never give out personal details to online friends-personal information includes their messenger id, email address, mobile 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.
• If your child receives spam / junk email & 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 won't know what they contain-it could be a virus, or worse - an inappropriate image or film.
• Help your child to understand that some people lie online and that therefore it's better to keep online mates online. They should never meet up with any strangers without an adult they trust.
• Always keep communication open for a child to know that it's never too late to tell someone if something makes them feel uncomfortable.
• Teach young people how to block someone online and report them if they feel uncomfortable.

The multi-user agency group behind the scheme comprises Dyfed-Powys Police, the Education and Social Care directorates of Pembrokeshire County Council and the Hywel Dda Health Board.

More information can be found at www.dyfed-powys.police.uk