The Internet

The Internet is a publicly accessible global network connecting millions of computers. It carries various information and services, such as electronic mail, online chat, and the interlinked web pages and other documents of the World Wide Web.

Where / how do I find information online?
Once you have an Internet connection you are able to access information by web-browser, email, chat, peer-to-peer, mobiles and even Internet telephones (like iPhones). Access is facilitated by the use of various pieces of software. A web browser, such as Internet Explorer, Firefox or Safari can be used to access websites, and may also be used to access certain other services, such as web-email.

Web Browsing

Web browsing, or ‘surfing the net’ as it is often known colloquially, is the process of viewing web pages and moving from one ‘page’ of information to another by means of a (hyper)link. You view websites using web browsers, popular examples include: Microsoft Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Opera, Netscape and Safari.

Watch this Video to learn how to customise your web browser

What is a website? 
A Website or WWW site (often shortened to just site) is a collection of Web pages.  The pages of a Web site will be accessed from the homepage.

Types of Web sites
There are numerous types of Web sites, each specialising in a particular service or use. A few types of Web sites include:

• Archive site: used to preserve valuable electronic content threatened with extinction
• Business site: used for promoting a business or service
• Commerce site or eCommerce site: for purchasing goods, such as Amazon.com
• Community site: a site where persons with similar interests communicate with each other
• Directory site: a site that contains varied contents which are divided into categories
• News site: similar to an information site, but dedicated to dispensing news and commentary
• Search engine site: a site that provides a gateway or lookup for other sites
• Weblog (or blog) site: site used to log online readings or to post online diaries
• Web portal site: a web site that provides a starting point, a gateway, or portal, to other resources.

Search Engines

How Do Search Engines Work? 
A search engine is a program designed to help find information stored on a computer system such as the World Wide Web, or a personal computer. The search engine allows one to ask for content meeting specific criteria and retrieves a list of references that match those criteria. Search engines use regularly updated indexes to operate quickly and efficiently.

Watch this video about using a search engine to build up your surfing skills.

(Safely)

What are the main safety issues?
Some content on the Internet could be considered unsuitable for young people:
• Child abuse and obscene images
• Online grooming
• Pornography
• Self Harm
• Suicide
• Material that promotes prejudice
• Material that encourages illegal activities

How can I tell whether a website contains anything unsuitable for children?
Unfortunately it’s not that easy…some webpages are easy to judge, you can tell at a glance if they are suitable or not. The problem is that others look OK on the surface but when you click on a link or go further into them you arrive at content that is unreliable or unsuitable. Some commercial sites (eg adult shopping sites) may also be inappropriate for young people.

How do I stop my children accessing some sites?
Internet Explorer has built in parental controls called ‘Content Advisor’, which blocks access to sites with objectionable content. Other Internet service providers have their own controls so it is always worth asking them for advice. There is also a range of commercial software designed to filter Internet content. Our Security* page looks at these technologies in more detail.

Some basic safety messages

• Encourage children to store the websites they visit in their ‘Favourites’ folder

This means they can get to their favourite websites this way instead of relying on a search engine, or risk misspelling the name of the site, and end up somewhere unsavoury as a result.

• Make discussing the web sites your children visit a habit.

You can do also do this by working through the history folder, or looking at the temporary Internet files with your children.

Remember: The Internet can be a fun and interesting place to be, but like everyday life – there are some parts best avoided. You and your children can have fun in the park on a Saturday afternoon, but you wouldn’t let them go alone at midnight – would you?

Reporting and help-lines
If you encounter content which you believe is offensive or illegal, you can report it; further details can be found in our Report Abuse* section.