LANCASHIRE Constabulary is holding a special interactive web chat to discuss the importance of staying safe online on Safer Internet Day (Tuesday 7 February).

It is the ninth year of the annual 'Insafe' campaign, which is celebrated in over 65 countries to recognise the importance of the internet, how to get the most out of it - and how to use it safely and responsibly.

This year's campaign is centred on ‘connecting generations and educating each other’ and the force is asking young and old to come together to ‘discover the digital world together…safely.’

Det Ch Insp Hazel Stewart, public protection team, will be holding the web chat, via the force website www.lancashire.police.uk and simultaneously on www.facebook.com/lancspolice Residents are invited to submit their on-line safety questions to her from 12.30pm – 1.30pm on Tuesday February 7.

She said: “The internet is now a major part of most people’s lives so it is important that it is being used safely.

“The fact that it's now in most people’s homes and places of work means it is easier for criminals to target people online. We have seen a rise in child sexual exploitation as a result of unsupervised use of social networking sites and predators grooming youngsters via computers.

“Young people are often more au fait with what’s going on on the internet, but they may not be quite as savvy when it comes to online safety. So we’re asking parents, carers and teachers to work with young people to advise them about how to protect themselves while on the internet, and youngsters can then return the favour by sharing their knowledge too.”

Safer internet tips for adults -
Make sure your firewall and anti-virus software is up to date
Use different passwords for different sites
Use secure and official sites (look for the padlock sign) when making purchases on-line
Keep back up copies and print outs of on-line documents
Do not disclose bank details as proof or age or identity
Don’t reveal personal details to people you meet, or who contact you, on-line

Safer internet tips for children and young people –
Never give out personal details to online friends if you do not know them offline
Remember people online may not be who they say they are – use caution when chatting to people who you do not already know
Never arrange to meet up with strangers without an adult present who you trust
Think carefully about the information and pictures you post on your profiles. Once published online, anyone can change or share these images of you
Don’t open files from people you do not know – they may contain viruses which could damage your computer
If you feel uncomfortable about anything that happens online tell an adult

CEOP - the UK’s national centre dedicated to protecting children from harm both online and offline – will be launching the ‘Parents’ and Carers’ Guide to the Internet’, looking at what it’s like to bring up children in the online world, on February 7.

You can watch this programme online to help you stay up-to-date with the technology your children are using, know what action to take and where to seek further help and support

Visit www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents from Tuesday 7th February. Further safety tips can be found on www.lancashire.police.uk and information about Safer Internet Day is available at www.saferinternet.org.