Keep Kids Safe Online - Jo Swinson supports local initiative

9.00.19pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 10th Aug 2004

Jo Swinson is supporting the East Dunbartonshire initiative to keep children safe online

East Dunbartonshire Community Safety Partnership has launched a campaign to keep young people safe when surfing the net.

1,500 mouse mats carrying safety advice have been distributed across the Council area into schools, libraries and youth spaces.

Young people are encouraged to be alert to the dangers posed by would-be criminals operating within internet chatrooms. The advice is as follows:

• Don't give out personal details, photos or other information that could be used to identify you.

• Don't take other people at face value as they many not be what they seem.

• Never arrange to meet someone you've only ever met on the net without telling your parents and getting their permission. The first meeting should be in a public place and you should have a responsible adult with you.

• Always stay in the public areas of chatrooms where there are others around.

• Don't open an attachment or download files unless you know and trust the sender.

• Never respond directly to anything you find disturbing. Save or print it, log off and tell an adult.

Jo Swinson welcomed the campaign, " The Internet can be a great tool to help young people learn, but there are real dangers. This campaign will help young people to use the Internet safely and protect themselves."