What are the Danger Signs that I Should Look out for with Children?

Children's behaviour in the real world can change if they are at risk online.

Common danger signs are transmitted by children and if parents are aware of these, serious problems can be avoided.

Danger signs include:

• Spending large amounts of time online - an indication that an area of excitement or risk has been discovered.
• Minimising the screen - may indicate that inappropriate content such as pornography or violence is being viewed.
• Mood swings after being online - a cyber bullying incident may have occurred upsetting your child.
• Staying up late - children will often wait until parents are out of sight before experimenting with risky behaviour.
• Wanting to be alone - children like to be alone when forming relationships online.
• Excessive use of chat rooms and instant messaging - communication may be with friends - but also strangers.
• Unusual mail is delivered - your child could have met somebody online and now the person is making real life contact.
• Excessive use of mobile phones and SMS - this behaviour could indicate a relationship has formed in the real world.
• Excessive use of other technology - scanning in pictures, copying disks, burning CDs and DVDs for example. Investigate to see if this is just harmless fun or something more serious.