We know that children are very good at persuading! With this in mind our favourite website for checking the content and games, films, music clips and anything else digital is found below. This website gives recommendations for age appropriate media and also the easy to use search will allow you to check the content of any new games, apps, etc that you may be feeling pressurised to allow your child to use. 

The following links will provide you with a wealth of valuable information on how to keep your child safe online:

• NSPCC Shareaware – Straightforward, no-nonsense advice will untangle the web, and show you how you can be just as great a parent online, as you are the rest of the time. The internet is a great place for children to be. Being Share Aware makes it safer.
• ThinkuKnow – Guide to internet safety and safe surfing for young people from Think U Know. Learn about online safety when using blogs, chatting and online gaming.
• CEOP – Works across the UK and maximises international links to tackle child sex abuse; includes information and advice for parents, news, and a facility to report abuse.
• Childnet – Childnet International is a registered UK charity that aims to make the internet a safe place for children and young people.
• Kidsmart – Learn about the internet and being a SMART surfer.
• BBC – CBBC Stay Safe – Test your internet safety knowledge with Hacker, listen to some Stay Safe songs with Helen Skelton, News Kids On the Block and Bobby Lockwood and get some tips from the Horrible Histories gang.
• Disney Online – Keep safe with Doug…find out lots of useful information.

DANGERS AND AGE RESTRICTIONS OF GAMES

You are probably aware of the publicity surrounding the concerns for children who are spending time playing age inappropriate. Although gaming is extremely popular and can provide a fun and social form of entertainment, often encouraging teamwork and cooperation when played with others, it should be noted that games listed as suitable for over 18s could cause lasting emotional/psychological damage and behavioural issues in younger children. Games of this nature could contain any of the following elements:

• Violence
• Sexual activity or sexual innuendo
• Nudity
• Bad language
• Gambling
• Promotion or use of drugs
• Promotion of alcohol or tobacco
• Scary scenes

Sometimes children are playing these games when away form the family home, whilst visiting friends/relatives. 

For your information, I have included the age recommendations for the games listed below:

• Call Of Duty – 18+
• Halo Reach –16+
• Minecraft – 7+ (But be careful about communication with strangers via this game)
• Clash Of Clans –13+ 
• Club Penguin- 3+
• Age of Empires Online –12+ 
• Eve Online –12+
• Grand theft auto –18+
• Far Cry-18+
• Battlefield-18+
• Red Dead Redemption-18+
• World Of Warcraft –18+
• Game of war-18+

It’s important that everyone checks are reviews their profiles and passwords regularly to ensure they are safe and kept up to date.

Sometimes updates in software make changes to your privacy settings without you even knowing so it’s worth checking regularly.

Below are some further weblinks that you may find useful: