As well as giving you access to endless amounts of useful information for schoolwork and hobbies, the web also acts as a gateway to explicit material and gives paedophiles an opportunity to interact with children and young adults.

This school website has been rated by www.safesurf.com as compliant with the requirements for a safe Internet without censorship, but there are also plenty of unsafe sites out there.

Some important tips for safe surfing are:

• It's best not to give out your personal details to online mates.
• Personal stuff includes your messenger id, email address, mobile number and any pictures of you, your family or friends.
• If you publish a picture or video online - anyone can change it or share it.
• SPAM/ Junk email & texts: don't believe it, reply to it or use it.
• It's not a good idea to open files that are from people you don't know. You won't know what they contain - it could be a virus, or worse - an inappropriate image or film.
• It's easier to get on with people online and say stuff you wouldn't offline.
• Some people lie online.
• It's better to keep online mates online. Don't meet up with any strangers without an adult you trust. Better to be uncool than unsafe!
• It's never too late to tell someone if something makes you feel uncomfortable.
• There are people who can help. Report online child abuse , or find more advice and support.

This is by no means a complete list, but highlights the main precautions that you can take. It's possible to report the discovery of illegal material at the ' Internet Watch Foundation ' website, as well as viewing further information about the precautions that you can take.