'Think before you post' is the message being sent out to children today in schools across the country as part of Safer Internet Day 2011.
Events are taking place in Ireland and around the world to promote the eighth annual Safer Internet Day, which aims to promote a safer internet for all users, but especially children.
The day is organised in Ireland by Webwise, an internet safety initiative of the National Centre for Technology and Education.
To celebrate Safer Internet Day, the organisation will give talks to thousands of children throughout the month of February in addition to running several parenting workshops on the issue.
The talks will highlight personal safety issues that may arise for children while using the internet including risks associated with online interactive services like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and MSN Messenger.
They will be delivered by volunteers from Microsoft, UPC and O2 who will try to give students clear practical advice on what information about themselves they should give out when signing up to websites.
The National Parents Council Primary will also deliver internet safety workshops for parents throughout the month.
The workshops will focus on strategies for improving communication between parents and children to help them decide on boundaries to their internet use.
At these workshops parents will get to speak to young people about how they use the internet, why it is attractive to them and get an insight into children's main worries when online, such as cyber bullying.
Webwise has also produced a Facebook page (http://tinyurl.com/64z9yu4) designed to give parents the skills and confidence to communicate with their children on their internet use.
It offers videos from parenting experts and interactive cartoons for children that teach the golden rules for using the web.
Details of events can be found at www.webwise.ie
Parenting Workshops Taking Place Around the Country
Today (February 8th)
St Patricks BNS
Drumcondra, Dublin 9, 8pm
Tomorrow (February 9th)
Navan Education Centre
Navan, Co Meath, 6.30pm
Auburn Lodge Hotel
Ennis, Co Clare, 7.30pm
Radisson Blu Hotel
Littleisland, Co Cork, 7.30pm
Ashdown Park Hotel
Gorey, Co Wexford, 7.30pm
Tralee Education Centre
Tralee, Co Kerry, 7pm
Thursday (February 10th)
Fitzgerald Woodlands Hotel
Adare, Co Limerick, 7.30pm
Tuesday (February 15th)
Sligo Education Centre
Sligo, Co Sligo, 7.30pm
Monday (February 21st)
Portlaoise Parish Centre
Portlaoise, Co Laois, 7.30pm
Tuesday (February 22nd)
Farnham Arms Hotel
Cavan Town, Co Cavan, 7.30pm