Published at 15:12, Thursday, 14 February 2013

USING the internet safely was the message given to Langholm primary schoolchildren by PC Alistair Mitchell, when he held internet awareness sessions for pupils in P5, P6 and P7.

Langholm primary school P7 pupils Bethany Black and Jackie Edgar ask PC Alistair Mitchell some questions during the internet safety talk

PC Mitchell covered the dangers of using social networking, Facebook, Xbox 360 live, Twitter, MSN and chatrooms.

The children were given an opportunity to do role play and ask questions.

He highlighted how easy it was to give away personal information online, sometimes without realising it, and other people you are chatting with online trying to catch you out by pretending to be somebody else.

PC Mitchell emphasised the seriousness of cyber-bullying which can happen every time you use a computer, mobile phone or games console. Words and pictures can be changed online and sent worldwide in an instant.

The session ended with things to remember such as how to report abuse; never arrange to meet someone you have met online; never give your personal details; never give anyone your password for your computer; always tell someone if something happens when you are online. You could stop someone else from being harmed.

Useful sites showing how to have fun online and stay in control were given out, such as www.thinkuknow.co.uk; www.ceop.gov.uk (Child Exploitation Online Protection) and www.childnet.co.uk

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