Children and young people using the internet in the library - information for parents

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Renfrewshire Libraries consider child safety at all times. While we cannot supervise your child'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 your child has a safe surfing experience in our libraries. We do have guidelines and rules that govern what your child can and cannot do on library PCs.

Please take time to read and discuss the rules below with your child, they are designed to help your child have fun but also stay safe online.

Information on the internet and children

• Renfrewshire libraries have 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% effective and we cannot always stop unacceptable material being accessed
• Random checks are made on sites that children have visited to monitor suitability

Children's library membership, PCs and the internet

• Children under the age of 16 wishing to access the internet will require signed permission from a parent or guardian when they first join the library
• 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 child'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 child views. 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 child

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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. We may send a letter home to inform parents as we feel it is important that parents are involved in their child's internet use

What are the risks?

• Unacceptable content - pornographic, racist, violent or abusive
• Unwanted material - emails advertising unsuitable websites or services
• Unsuitable contacts - online chatrooms could develop friendships with people who can bully your child, groom them for sex or become abusive
• Library staff have the right to ask your child to stop using the internet if they feel they are at risk

Talking about the risks

• You should extend your everyday values to your child's online experience and talk to them about internet use, what they are doing online, the risks involved, and what to do if they access unsuitable material by mistake or are uncomfortable about anything they experience online
• Parents can find out more about online risks from the 'think you know' website
• Direct your children to be smart and safe online.

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