Stop! think! and surf safely in the library

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If you go on the Internet today, make sure it is somewhere safe and that you are allowed to be there! This is your space and we want you to feel comfortable using the computers.

You can log onto your Glow account above with your username and password. Glow is the new national secure Intranet for schools and you can share information there safely.

Here are a few tips that will keep you safe online.

• look at the ThinkUKnow website - do you think you know all about staying safe online?
• read through our library Internet rules - they will help you stay safe and out of trouble
• Library Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) membership gives you the opportunity to use the Internet for homework and entertainment, visit websites, write to people through email, and sometimes talk in chat rooms and use 'messenger' services. You should never give out personal details about yourself, your family or your friends to people online, this helps you to stay safe.

It is important that you follow the library rules below and make sure you are safe when you are online.

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Rules you need to know when using PCs in the library

• you must be 14 years or older to use MySpace and 13 years or older to use Bebo and Facebook. If you sign up using false information you will be breaking the terms and conditions of these social networking sites.
• when you are on the Internet don't visit or attempt to visit any site that might be offensive. If you would not be happy for library staff or your parent to see what you are looking at - you shouldn't be looking at it!
• never send email that has anything in it that would offend anybody in any country. As a general guide this means that you would not be embarrassed if anyone read it including library staff, your parents, your teacher, or anybody really!
• if you get an offensive email from anybody, or feel uncomfortable with something someone has said to you online, tell the library staff straight away - they are there to help you stay safe.
• if you go to an offensive website by mistake tell a member of staff straight away.
• we filter and block some of the websites that you can visit when you use library PCs but it doesn't always work so we can't block all the sites that are offensive - that doesn't mean that it's OK for you to look at some of these - that's why we want you to tell us if you accidentally open one.

If you break the rules and deliberately try to go places you shouldn't, you can have your ICT ticket stopped and won't be able to use the PCs for email, messaging and other Internet browsing. A letter will also be sent to your parents or guardian to tell them what has happened. We have put some information for your parents about children and young people's ICT membership and this will help them understand the rules on this page.

Enjoy your time on the Internet today - be smart and be safe online.

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