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Talk to EE about keeping your children safe online – HTC One handset up for grabs NOW CLOSED

89 replies

KatieBMumsnet · 18/11/2013 16:35

EE would like to know how Mumsnetters go about keeping their DCs safe online.

Here’s what EE have to say, “Like many things, digital living comes with certain risks if used inappropriately and it’s good to be aware of these risks. It's just as important to keep your child safe on their phone or computer, as it is in the 'real world'. We know our children are often ahead of us when it comes to tech knowledge. We aim to help you understand the issues so you can support them. That’s why we’ve got simple tips and advice that are easy to implement, so you can help your child enjoy using the internet and be safe at the same time.”

So, what do you know and do in the way of internet safety? Do you have parental controls installed on electronic devices at home? Or maybe you try to ensure that your younger children are supervised when browsing the web? What kind of online content do you try to monitor? Do you struggle to know what to do to keep your DCs safe online? Whatever your stance is on online safety, we’d love to hear about it!

Everyone who adds their thoughts to this thread will be entered into a prize draw to win a HTC One handset. For full T&Cs please click here.

Please note your comments may be used (anonymously of course) on EE's pages on MN, social media channels and possibly elsewhere.

Thanks and good luck,

MNHQ

OP posts:
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BlackberrySeason · 18/11/2013 18:28

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PeggyCarter · 18/11/2013 18:39

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mary21 · 19/11/2013 16:00

Using talk talk filter which covers all devices in the house. Only allowed to us internet in lounge. That in cludes phones and tablets The problem is when they go to friends houses. And smart phones in the playground.

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Flibbertyjibbet · 19/11/2013 16:17

The kids only have access to the internet in a room when one of us is there too. We don't peer over their shoulder but it would make them think twice about accessing anything dodgy.

We realise this probably won't work when they are at high school so we will get filters on the BT broadband, will try to make sure the children are educated about internet safety, and will work on a basis of trusting them, whilst probably at the same time checking their internet history on a regular basis... If anything dodgy does come up then we will take a decision at the time on appropriate action.

I worry about what they get exposed to at their friends houses, some of them have siblings and step siblings who are well into teenage years or even adults, and have all their own gadgets.

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TEEARDIS · 19/11/2013 18:07

My son is only allowed on the computer/tablet/phone when supervised, although that supervision might be from across the room.

He has his own log in on our Win 7 machine so he can play CBeeBies etc and I know he can't get to YouTube etc without my husband or I right there with him.

As he gets older (he's 4, BTW) we will install NetNanny or similar an he is getting a LeapPad Ultra for Christmas which has safe browsing built in.

I do think the number one thing to remember is to keep an eye and to remember, as Blackberry said, not all parents will be as vigilant, so talk to your children about what they see at other's houses and, if necessary, don't let them to go friends where there is no control.

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WowOoo · 19/11/2013 18:23

Like others have said it's what goes on at friends' houses that worries me. Especially those with older siblings.

Ds is only allowed access to the family computer so we are always milling around.
I monitor him when he's watching YouTube tutorials about whatever game he's mad about. Some of them have had some swearing - that was for Super Mario!
YouTube suggests other videos and this particularly worries me as sometimes I see things I don't want him to click on, just in case.

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10thingsihateaboutpoo · 19/11/2013 18:37

DDs are too young for this to be a concern yet but I do worry about them being on the internet as they get older as being attached to social media seems to be the norm for people now. I just hope I pick up security tips as I go along! Any kind of parental controls or advice would be helpful.

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BellaVida · 19/11/2013 19:20

We have filters, parental controls and passwords blocking PC's, sites and even TV channels.

However, there is still a risk- even some inappropriate content might get through the best of filters. Even seemingly innocuous teenage commentaries on some children's games, such as the latest Minecraft craze, can contain bad language! Or searches on youtube for Barbie cartoons can bring up vulgar content, so I always do the searches and check.

At the age my children are currently (all still in single figures!), we feel the only way to ensure they are watching suitable content, is to supervise them.

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ThePortlyPinUp · 19/11/2013 19:34

We have filters and passwords, internet is only to be used where it can be supervised with the exception of netflix kids section when they can watch it in bed in the morning after I've set it up for them. DD1 (12) isn't allowed to take a mobile to school and never has credit on it anyway so I think she has forgotten she has one.

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ILoveAFullFridge · 19/11/2013 20:36

Talk with your children about what they might find online, why you want to protect them from it and how they can protect themselves.

Never be angry at them for trying websites - you need to keep the lines of communication open between you so that they are less likely to hide their online lives and more likely to be open with you.

Talk to them about the difference between RL friends and online 'friends'.

It's one thing protecting them at home, where we can install and oversee filters, we need to teach them to protect themselves when away from us.

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pancakesfortea · 19/11/2013 20:40

We have a filter. But like others have said there's stuff I don't want them reading which would get through - eg upsetting stuff on the news. So we also have clear ground rules about what kind of sites they are allowed to visit and we try to supervise.

Friends houses are a minefield. My 8 year old son told.me that his friend googled f*ing ar**holes on his ipad. He claims they didn't click trrough to the results but you just don't know. ad"

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Tortoise · 19/11/2013 20:45

I've got talktalk safety settings on which covers anything linked to home WiFi. And pc/laptop use is in the same room as me for younger DC. Also Google safe search settings are on.

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moldingsunbeams · 19/11/2013 20:48

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mercibucket · 19/11/2013 21:43

so much is out of our hands now kids have ipods ipads tablets and smartphones with public wifi

so talking to them and educating them is the only version forward

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MMcanny · 19/11/2013 21:55

I keep asking DH to put some kind of nanny on the family pc but I still don't hink he has. We are still in single figures age wise and knowing my kids they are not literate enough to deliberately type in questionable searches, of course I am aware inappropriate stuff comes up with even the most innocent of googling. The only devide they have access to is the family desktop. No-one looks at anything inappropriate on that so one would hope this reduces the incidence of being spammed/getting rude banners etc. We have discussed with the eldest how once seen certain images cannot be erased from your mind and so far that's made him quite wary himself. I am more worried about his friends, some of whom have devices and are much more literate/curious about erotica. He's most likely to see inappropriate content at school. Hopefully on a tiny phone where you can't make anything out! Lol. We do keep a dialogue going with them and when they're able to make more of chatting virtually I'll probably step up the discussions. At the moment they mostly ask us to type things in/read out.

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VikingLady · 19/11/2013 21:56

So far DD is too young to be on the computer unsupervised, but I am very careful what info I share about her online. I do not put any info about her on FB for instance. As she gets older she will be allowed to use computers ONLY in a family room, and we will retain access rights to her email and accounts.

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sharond101 · 19/11/2013 22:15

DS is only 18mo but loves the laptop and iPhone etc. He just gets to see babytv app or disneyjnr but this could be a challenge I have yet to face.

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prettybird · 19/11/2013 22:15

Ds is 13 now and got a smartphone for his 13th birthday - but we had already established the principles of responsible internet access: the iPad could only be used in the living room with us. He went onto Facebook 2/3 of the way through S2 (=Y7) when he was still 12 but on the proviso that we knew his password and could "police" his account.

On those occasions when we were disturbing him while we were watching TV, he would go and watch what he wanted (usually streaming cycling or F1) on the stairwell up to his room as he knew he wasn't lowed the iPad upstairs.

Have also talked with him about both porn online and bullying on line and that he needs to talk to us if he comes across either (whether he is the "victim" or he is aware of someone else) and that he wouldn't get into trouble for doing so.

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Pistillate · 19/11/2013 23:08

I have explained to them that on YouTube, din't cluck on the version which says "parody" unless they are with me.

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IAlwaysThought · 20/11/2013 00:11

I have previously posted the following for Apple products that are running iOS7

BLOCKING ADULT WEB CONTENT (ie porn 'n stuff)

Even if you have decent controls on your home network and it's worth following the info in the following THIS LINK . This feature is even more important if your child has a 3G device or accesses the internet via networks with no controls

It's a bit of a cop out to link to another site but it's so comprehensive I think its worth it.

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Hopezibah · 20/11/2013 00:13

We keep the PC in a family room so we can keep an eye on what they are doing. We also educate them about what they can and can't look at on the internet.

So far we've not needed parental controls but might do in future.

It is a worry that something inappropriate could be clicked on easily by accident.

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DeathByLaundry · 20/11/2013 07:20

Mine are 3 and 6 so don't have unsupervised access. They are allowed to play games on my phone etc but I'm careful about which ones. When the time comes that they want to use the internet themselves, which won't be long, I'll be taking guidance from MN!

I dread the era of smartphone use in the future. So much potential for disaster.

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mirtzapine · 20/11/2013 07:42

As EE acts as a gateway to the internet from the connection they provide, they are the ones who should be filtering and whitelisting/blacklisting sites. The same should apply to all internet service providers whether they are mobile internet services, or wired service providers.

There's no point talking about online protection, if the providers don't play their part. There are about 30 odd undersea cables entering the UK, filters can be applied at each of those points. Also as Edward Snowden has showed if GCHQ has the ability to snoop on the UK population, then use that snooping for good. Catch the bullies/groomers early.

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aristocat · 20/11/2013 09:24

My DCs do not have a phone yet but are allowed to use iPad with Internet access.

Itis a worry that something inappropriate could be accidentally clicked. They do use the tablet unsupervised and are 11 and 9 yo.

They do not have a FB account but DS is the eldest and has no interest in anything online except football or WWE or YouTube.

Online safety is discussed at school too but something that needs constant monitoring at home.

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Elibean · 20/11/2013 09:47

We have filters on everything at home (dds 7 and 10). The girls have iPod Touches with the browsers removed, just for messages, games and music.

They also have access to computers and an iPad (with the filters on).

Their school has clear guidelines on only accessing the internet with adult supervision, and the recommendation is to follow the same guidelines at home - this helps hugely, as the dds know 'our' rules are in keeping with school's.

The school also sent home the basic safety rules they teach to all kids in ICT (kids helped create the rules, too) which again makes it easier to reinforce at home. The partnership aspect is great.

My main problem with the internet is YouTube...which we kept, as it's so useful. Impossible to avoid inappropriate ads, at the very least Sad

With dd1 (nearly 10) we have talked a lot about what she may find online, what isn't appropriate and why it isn't good to watch. In terms of danger, she's very clued up - would never give out info, knows the difference between 'real' and 'cyber' friends: IN THEORY. I am not going to relax on this one until I know she knows the difference in practice, iyswim.

We've also talked about how images 'go in' and once they're 'in your head' it's very hard to get them 'out. So seeing upsetting/violent/rude pictures would not be a good thing.

But most of all - they know to talk to us about anything they see or experience as 'uh oh'. I think communication and trust are key.

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