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Children and young people using the Internet in the library - information for parents
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We consider child safety at all times whether it is in our buildings or while surfing the internet. While we cannot supervise your children's use of the internet, we can offer advice to you and your family about internet safety. We want you to help us make sure that children have a safe surfing experience in our libraries. We do have guidelines and rules that govern what your children can and cannot do on library PCs.
Please take time to read and discuss the rules below with your children, they are designed to help your child have fun but also stay safe online.
information on the internet and children
- Renfrewshire libraries has no control over the information provided on the internet and cannot be held responsible for the content or quality of any information retrieved.
- Filtering software is used on library computers and unsuitable sites will be blocked. However, this cannot be guaranteed 100% and we cannot always stop unacceptable material being accessed.
- Random checks are made on sites that children have visited to monitor suitability.
- Children under the age of 16 wishing to access the internet will require signed permission from a parent or guardian when they first register for use. If you do not wish your child to have access to the internet, but still be able to borrow books you can complete a non ICT membership form.
- If you grant your child permission to use the internet they will access the internet alone although our staff will provide 'safe surfing' information to all children. We cannot supervise your children's use.
- In line with the Children Act 1989, children under eight will only be allowed internet access if accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
- You are responsible for the material that your children view. The library service assumes no responsibility for supervising children while they are surfing the internet.
- Library staff will give guidance on using the internet and will continue to work on evaluating and assessing web site information which will be of maximum benefit to your children.
inappropriate and offensive material and unacceptable use
- You or your child should notify a member of staff as soon as possible if inappropriate material is accessed by mistake. We will investigate it and have the site blocked. Explain to your child that they should not worry about telling staff about anything they access by accident.
- If your child accesses or is found viewing unsuitable information, and does not inform a member of staff they can be removed from the PC immediately, and we may send a letter home to inform parents as we feel it is important that parents are involved in their children's internet use.
- Parents can find out more about online risks from the ' think you know 'website You should extend your everyday values to your child's online experience and talk to them about internet use, what they are doing online and the risks involved. There is always the possibility that they might access unsuitable websites by mistake or out of curiosity.
- Library staff have the right to ask your child to stop using the internet if they feel they are at risk.
what are the risks?
- Unacceptable content - pornographic, racist, violent or abusive
- Unwanted material - emails advertising unsuitable websites or services
- Unsuitable contacts - online chatrooms develop friendships with people who can bully your children, groom them for sex or become abusive
what can you do as a parent?
Talk to your children about the issues above. You can direct them to information in our Young People section of the library website that will help them understand the risks of being online.
Some recommended sites with information that will help children use the internet safely are listed on this page 'Be smart and safe online' .
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