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This been provided by BullGuard Internet Security who provide an all in one antivirus and internet security solution.
There are a number of things you can do to help keep your child safe when they go on the internet, and to prevent them from seeing content which is of an adult nature.
Learn to Surf for Yourself
If you don’t know what’s out there, it is going to be difficult for you to know how best to protect your child, so get yourself onto the internet and learn how it works for yourself. There are plenty of adult education classes available around the country where you can take lessons if you aren’t sure where to begin.
Parental Controls
Set in place parental controls on all equipment that can be connected to the internet. This means that you lock out any sites that you do not wish your child to see, and create rules that control which sites they can gain access to according to its content. Some ISP’s also offer child safety measures so it’s always worth asking what they provide.
Take Control
Put the computer in a family room where its screen is visible to you. Set up passwords so that your child cannot access the internet when you are not there, and learn to use the ‘history’ on the computer to see what sites your child is accessing when they do surf the internet.
Get Your Child Involved
Kids generally react better to rules if they understand why they are in place, so involve your child. Explain to them that the internet has content that is suitable for everyone and some that isn’t. Talk to them about safety on the internet just as you would talk to them about safety in the street. Let them know that certain things are ok and certain things are not, and help them to understand that the boundaries you set are there to keep them safe.
Personal Information
Explain to your child why it is important to keep personal information safe, and why they shouldn’t share details about themselves with strangers. They should be aware that personal information that they give out can be used to for unlawful reasons which could involve the police if the wrong person steals and uses this information.
Make sure they understand that they must not:
- Give out personal information such as name, address, phone numbers, passwords, pin numbers and bank details.
- Arrange to meet an online friend without your full knowledge, permission and/ or presence.
- Register with any websites without your permission
- Give any indication of their age, name, sex or other personal information in their screen name or online persona.
- Upload or download anything from the internet without your permission including pictures.
Teach Them to Tell You
If your child ever comes across anything which; they don’t understand, frightens or worries them, or; if they are bullied online, if anyone says anything that is inappropriate or tries to get them to do anything you’ve said they shouldn’t then they should tell you immediately. Make sure that they are not afraid of your reaction, and let them know that you understand sometimes people come across things accidentally and they won’t be the ones in trouble.
 Obese single women are four times more likely to face an unplanned pregnancy than women that have a healthy weight, even though they have sex on a less frequent basis.
Research from the largest sexual health and obesity study also found that obese women are 63% less likely to ask for advice in regards to contraception, and are 66% less likely to take the Pill.
The study also found that obese women were five times more likely to have met their partner in the virtual world, and much more likely to have an obese partner. They were also almost 30% less likely to have had a sexual partner over the last year when asked.
The study found that men also experience problems from obesity with obese men 69% less likely to report having more than one partner over the past year, compared to men that are a healthy weight, and are three times more likely to suffer from erectile dysfunction. They also were more likely to have a sexually transmitted disease.
The research involved around 12,000 participants of both sexes across France and is hailed by experts for having far reaching implications including greater focus on obese people and sex.
Dr. Sandy Goldbeck-Wood, from the Sexual Problems Clinic in North London at the Camden and Islington Mental health Trust stated that they need to take a closer look at obese women and their lower use of contraception, and take into account all of the possible explanations such as psychological, social, and biological aspects.
 A study from Pew found that about 71% of all young adults between the ages of 11 to 19 had limited their online privacy settings. However, while it is hard to predict how many teens and tweens are vigilant about their online safety, an online Yahoo survey reports parents play a large role.
According to the survey findings, about 70% of parents now discuss online safety with their children a few times every year, with 45% reporting they talk to their children about online safety every month. One of the best ways that parents keep an eye on their children online is by adding them as contacts on social network sites.
Other parents take a more active role in monitoring their child’s safety online by checking their search queries, setting limitations on the time their children are allowed online, and by taking advantage of filters and parental controls. 71% of parents in the Yahoo survey used at least one of these tactics in order to monitor their child.
Interesting to note is the fact that fathers are more protective of their children’s online activities with 53% reporting they search for their child’s names two to three times every year to check their online footprint while only about 38% of mothers do.
In addition, fathers are also more likely to take action that will help their children understand the consequences of posting any personal information about themselves online.
At the conclusion of the study, Yahoo assigned parents an overall rating of B+ in terms of online protection of their children denoting that their job is well done, but leaves some room for improvement.
 Parenting is arguably the most challenging and rewarding and/or frustrating and agonizing experience that most people ever encounter. Humans are born with the protective instincts of all animals that bear young, but for better or for worse, to be human is to be much more complicated than the rest of the animal kingdom. In many cases just having a plan, with fairly definite structure and guidelines, can contribute greatly to healthy, effectual parenting.
Many favor the ‘natural’ parenting approach, which is based on no real plan at all, but draws on the natural instincts of parents to protect and teach their child to insure its survival. Breast-feeding is an integral part of the natural parenting approach, as well as co-sleeping and home schooling.
Family parenting involves the input of all family members, from siblings, if any, to aunts and uncles, grandparents and cousins. The obvious advantage here is that there is a
strong support network for the child as well as the parents. A baby is virtually never without a comforting and loving presence, and the parents have a bit more freedom for their own pursuits.
Attachment parenting is pretty much what the name implies, with nearly constant physical contact between parent and child so that a strong bond is formed and nurtured from birth.
There is no perfect ‘plan’ for parenthood, but parents can integrate the parts of any plan that work best. Each child has the same basic need for love, security and stimulation, both mental and physical. However, every one is different, with a developing personality of his or her own, so parents must try to be consistent but flexible – not an easy assignment, but well worth the effort.
 Parents in Glasgow are being offered a free programme to help them with the ever-daunting job of raising youngsters. Last week the Triple P, or Positive Parenting Programme, was launched at the Anderston Primary School and will be offered first to parents and carers of children in primary one schools, but will be available to all families with children from newborn to sixteen years of age.
Triple P is a system of parenting strategies developed by an Australian clinical psychologist, and has been used with documented success in over twenty countries over the past 30 years. It is based on the premise that strong early parenting can greatly improve the quality of life for both parents and children, and help prevent many of the problems faced in later years.
Glasgow City Council and NHS GGC (Greater Glasgow and Clyde) are implementing the programme with the assistance of individual health visitors, social workers and other local agencies, with a view to encouraging all parents to participate and take advantage of the seminars, group and one-on-one counselling sessions and related self-help books and DVDs.
The joint director of public health for NHS GGC and the city council, Dr. Linda de Caestecker, said that Triple P has been proven effective in other cities with public health problems deriving from poverty and many other factors similar to those in Glasgow. She feels that the programme, which is designed to offer as much assistance as the parents require but not more than they want, is not a cure-all but a definite step forward in solving some of the problems that have their beginnings in early childhood.
 Fireman Sam is teaming up with Toys “R” Us to promote safety with the help of local fire services throughout the UK as part of the Safety First with Fireman Sam, presented by HIT Entertainment, a worldwide leader in children’s entertainment.
Fireman Sam will appear at fourteen Toys “R” Us stores across the country running from Saturday 5th June through until Saturday 31st July. Fireman Sam will be accompanied by the local fire brigades in relevant towns. He will be sharing tips with youngsters and their parents in order to raise awareness of the importance of safety for all.
As well as a ‘Safety First with Fireman Sam’ booklet being distributed, there will be plenty of fun activities, free gifts and a competition to enter, great toys available for purchase from Character Options, as well as the opportunity for young fans to get photos taken with their Pontypandy hero and local fire engine.
Further information about the tour can be found at www.firemansamonline.com with an additional chance to win a fantastic Fireman Sam prize pack available on http://www.toysrus.co.uk/firemansam from 31st May 2010.
Fireman Sam is reported to be the No. 3 pre-school boys brand in the UK. This year a fantastic new range of toys launched, by master toy licensee Character Options, with more exciting products due for release in the summer. Fireman Sam’s popular TV series is broadcast in 130 territories, in 25 languages, around the globe.
FIREMAN SAM TOUR DATES
Fireman Sam will be at the following Toys “R” Us stores on the dates and times shown
Coventry Saturday 05-Jun-10 11am – 4pm
Old Kent Road Sunday 06-Jun-10 11am – 4pm
Southampton Saturday 12-Jun-10 10am – 4pm
Swindon Sunday 13-Jun-10 11am – 4pm
Peterborough Saturday 19-Jun-10 11am – 4pm
Derby Sunday 20-Jun-10 11am – 4pm
Brent Cross Saturday 26-Jun-10 10am – 4pm
Ipswich Sunday 27-Jun-10 11am – 4pm
Teesside Saturday 03-Jul-10 10am – 4pm
Oldbury Saturday 10-Jul-10 11am – 4pm
Bristol Cribbs Causeway Saturday 17-Jul-10 11am – 4pm
Plymouth Sunday 18-Jul-10 11am – 4pm
Croydon Sunday 25-Jul-10 11am – 4pm
Hayes Saturday 31-Jul-10 10am – 4pm
 Although the Kidde Carbon Monoxide alarm may sound like an item that you can buy if you feel so inclined, it is anything but, as it is a tiny turbo charged device designed to make sure that your home and its occupants are safely protected against the silent killer; carbon monoxide.
The official description of the device is a small alarm with battery backup so that your family is protected even during a power outage.
Every fifteen seconds the alarm monitors the carbon monoxide level in the air to allow you to rest easy that any leaks will be detected as soon as they are present. In the case of a leak within your home, a loud 85 decibel alarm will sound notifying everyone in the house that it is unsafe.
Priced at about £30, the Kidde Carbon Monoxide Alarm is worth every penny as it provides protection against one the worst killer in your home. Its battery backup is an excellent side feature since many leaks occur as the result of power outages, which will go undetected by traditional alarm devices as they depend on electrical power for protection.
As the name denotes, the device is also extremely small making it an unobtrusive item to place in your home that may one day save your life, and the life of your children.
 Yet another surge of shock and dismay hit the British population this week after a woman in Bexleyheath was convicted of murdering her son. The child was less than two years old, and had suffered what appeared to be continuous abuse.
The mother, Collette Harris, repeatedly excused his injuries, to doctors and to child welfare agencies, as due to his clumsiness or banging his head on the crib. Only after the child died, in December of 2008, did the extent and nature of the injuries become known and acknowledged.
The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) and Action for Children are two of the organizations lobbying for more efficient and far-reaching action on the part of the new coalition government.
Their concern is partly due to the spending cuts that have been proposed as a means of reducing the national debt. Some of these cuts would be in the realm of children’s benefits, presumably including those directed towards prevention of abuse.
NSPCC is hoping to get the government to establish some form of cross-departmental structure or a specific department in the Cabinet to deal specifically with child abuse. Head of campaigns and public affairs and NSPCC, Diana Sutton, said that child services must be a priority and funds should be made available regardless of spending cuts.
Of utmost importance is the prevention of abuse, rather than trying to “pick up the pieces” after the fact. This approach, says Helen Donohoe of Action for Children, would be much more effective in the long term. Ms Donohoe believes that early intervention through working with families is the best means of reducing if not eliminating the abuse of children.
One of the most stressful but rewarding days of the year is the child’s birthday party. There is so much to consider and organise even before the big day such as who’s going to be invited? What entertainment will there be? What food and drink will be needed?
Here’s a quick checklist for you to save your sanity and to help avoid a mass panic the day before!
1 Month Before…
With the birthday boy or girl choose what theme that they want to have and who will be invited.
If an entertainer is required make enquiries, get costs and confirm the booking.
If you choose an outdoor party look into buying a pop up gazebo. This can be used to keep the children out of the sun during the day and avoid sunburn or illness.
Once a list for the latter has been drawn up, buy or make invitations and send them out.
Choose the date and time for the party.
Phone around to friends and other parents of children who will be invited to enlist their services to help with the big day.
2 Weeks Before…
Decide on what games will be played and whether any special requirements are needed, such as having a present for parcel the parcel or enough chairs for musical chairs.
Choose what food will be available and what quantities will be needed.
1 Week Before…
Buy the food, cake and any decorations that will be needed.
Ensure that you have enough space on the digital camera to take hundreds of photos.
Phone the helpers and make sure that they are still ok to assist at the party.
Make up party bags.
The night before…
Decorate the house with decorations.
Prepare the food that you can.
And on the big day remember that despite all of this planning things mishaps are more than likely to arise, but remain calm and keep in mind that as long as your child is having a great time, that’s all that matters.
 To smack or not to smack, and how hard and with what? That is the dilemma faced by the school system and parents of children both school age and younger. Britain is one of the few European countries that have not yet outlawed physical punishment in the form of smacking.
The problem arises from the difference of opinion about just how much government should interfere or be involved with the way in which parents choose to discipline their children.
It has been established that teachers in public and private schools or nurseries cannot smack a student for any reason, and the proposal has also been made to ban smacking in other educational settings including religious instruction. Advocates of ‘reasonable’ physical punishment say that swatting a child on the backside, which is the usual parental option, is not harmful in any way and is in fact necessary to enforce discipline in unruly children.
One of the strongest proponents of a no-smacking law is the deputy secretary general of the Council of Europe, Ms de Boer-Buquiccio. She believes that a legal ban on smacking a child will not undermine parental authority, nor will it negate the use of discipline imposed by teachers or parents. She says it is a matter of changing disciplinary measures to non-violent methods, which would be more effective in encouraging good behaviour in the long term.
Others have voiced the opinion that the laws as they stand and the new proposals are confusing, impossible to enforce, and possibly a major infringement on the rights of citizens. To some it seems like too much intervention in matters that are not (or should not) be any of the government’s business.
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