The NSPCC are offering online safety guidance to schoolchildren in Medway.

The children’s charity has spoken to more than 2,600 children in 22 primary school’s across the towns about all forms of abuse and has taught them how to stay safe online, ahead of Safer Internet Day, which was yesterday.

They have also issued seven tips for parents and carers to make the internet safer for their children.

They include exploring the internet together and asking what their favourite things to do online are, knowing who their kids are talking to online and setting rules and agreeing boundaries about how long they can be online and which sites they can use.

They also suggest using parental controls to filter, restrict and monitor content.

Sarah Walker, schools service area coordinator for Medway, said: “Through our work with primary schools we know that online safety is a big issue – it’s one of the main subjects schools are keen for us to cover in our assemblies and workshops.

“Our research has shown that children worry about seeing inappropriate content, being contacted by strangers, bullying, fake users, not being in control of what they see and their privacy.

“The internet is an incredible place to socialise, learn and play, as long as it’s safe. Just having a simple conversation with them about what sites and apps they use and how is the best way to start.”

For more information about the NSPCC Schools Service email sarah.walker@nspcc.org.uk.