Children may be using their mobile phones to access internet chatrooms and may also be receiving bullying or malicious calls, images and text messages, a new guidebook to be launched by the Minister for Communications later today will warn.
The updated guidebook for parents, which has been compiled by the Irish Cellular Industry Association (ICIA), warns that children might be put at risk as a result of the anonymity which the internet offers. It says children must be made aware of the importance of not giving out personal information over the internet when using phones to access the web.
Parents should advise their children to tell them if they receive inappropriate adult communications, or abusive or malicious material, and should report any illegal or offensive images to the Garda, the guidebook says.
They should also know what the capabilities of their child's phone are; for example, if it can be used to access internet services such as gambling sites and chatrooms. Where possible, parents should also consider setting up a "dual account", allowing both parent and child access to the account records held by the mobile operator.
The ICIA's guide for parents stresses that mobile phones have become a useful way for parents to stay in touch with their children, and are now extensively used by parents to ensure their children are safe.
But it also points out that parents who register their child's mobile phone in their own name may find they are the subject of any investigation into abusive messages or calls which are made from these phones.
Tommy McCabe, director of the ICIA, said the introduction of the mobile phone had led to many positive benefits for parents and children. "But there are new dangers that arise, and parents need to be aware of them," he said.
MOBILES AND INTERNET SAFETY GUIDELINES