AS the world of the internet becomes more important in educating children it is the parents' job to ensure that they are in a safe environment.

The dangers of the internet were highlighted in Coronation Street a few months ago when Sarah Louise fell into the trap of being charmed by a man on the internet pretending to be a boy the same age as her.

The danger came when she actually grew to like him and went to meet him, only to realise he had lied and was a man the age of her father.

It is important to set rules when using the internet for children even when many parents probably don't understand the internet as well as their children. The rules can be managed in the same way parents use warnings in everyday life.

According to the web experts www.familyguidebook.com parents need to apply their basic first teachings to their children onto the internet.

Here are a few handy hints to help parents and children on the road to safer surfing:

Don't allow the child to talk or accept anything from strangers - stranger is danger!

Allowing children unlimited time on the internet is asking for trouble - make sure there is a reason and they are not surfing randomly

Trying to provoke someone in cyberspace is known as "flaming" this can lead to heated battles in chat rooms that quickly turn to e-mails which can be dangerous - get out of the chat room and switch the computer off

Make sure the child doesn't reveal personal details - even if they think they know who they are talking to because there could be strangers reading their posts

Teach them not to give away information at websites to register or enter a contest, unless they ask your permission first

Get to know the child's online friends

Take a look at their monitor every once in a while, it keeps them honest.