- Keep the computer in a communal room.

- Know something about the Internet, teach your child to follow common-sense rules and monitor them in person.

- Visit the Cyberangels website for excellent help and guidance: www.cyberangels.org

- Select an Internet Service Provider (ISP) who provides the option of ISP - filtered access or software programs (e.g. Netnanny, Cyberpatrol) to block harmful sites including discussions or news groups.

- Install either a commercial porn blocker like Netnanny etc. or use a free one like "Parental Filter" (can download via Google search engine) which needs to be properly installed and configured to be effective.

- Check peer to peer programs i.e. Kazaa, edonkey, undernet etc., which is used to swap and download music and programs. These sites are also used for swapping and downloading porn. These programs have to be installed onto the PC and can be checked.

- Report any child pornography to the CHILD PORN HOTLINE 0800 148 148

Safe chatting:

On-line chat rooms (popular with youngsters) and bulletin boards create opportunities for "Cyberstalkers" and pedophiles to contact children. Always supervise your child's "chatting" and teach them:

- NEVER to give out personal information.

- NEVER to arrange meetings with contacts without your knowledge.

- To notify you if they are harassed or abused - DON'T over-react.

- Forward copies of abusive messages to your operator (ISP).

- If the person is using a chat program like Mirc, it can also be configured to log the chat sessions. These logged sessions can then be checked at a later opportunity.

Parental supervision and honest discussion between parent and child on the potential dangers lurking on the Net is the best protection.

How one person can make a difference:

- Complain and speak out against offensive material - magazines, books, videos, films, computer games, music lyrics by writing to the Film and Publication Board especially when the existing age-restrictions appear inadequate. It is equally important to speak or preferably write to the distributor or advertiser.

- Be aware of and react to porn-type men's magazines freely available in stores by requesting management to remove them. Specific sexually explicit content should be reported to the Film and Publication Board, quoting the date of the magazine, page and title of article.

- Any offensive adverts e.g. on TV or in print, should be reported in writing to the Advertising Standards Authority. Be specific.

- Report any form of child pornography - real or simulated - to the Child Porn Hotline 0800 148 148 or the police.

FOR OBJECTIONABLE TV AND RADIO PROGRAMS If you know the date, time, name of program and station write to the Broadcasting Complaints Commission (B.C.C.S.A.) within 3 months. Send copies to the Minister of Communication, ICASA and the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs. If B.C.C.S.A.'s reply or subsequent judgement is unsatisfactory write again to the Minister of Communication and also send copies as above. If you have insufficient specific details to warrant writing to B.C.C.S.A., send complaints re offensive programs to the Minister of Communications with copies to ICASA and the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs. Use the same route to voice your opinion about sexually explicit/violent TV content in general. Complain by phone or letter to the broadcasting station concerned. NOTE: S.T.O.P would appreciate receiving copies of any letters re TV by e-mail, fax or post. This is important to facilitate future actions.

- Express your opinion in the media, e.g. write letters to newspapers, magazines and participate in "phone-in" radio programs.

- Lobby your local councillor or M.P. to formulate regulations to control the location and numbers of "sex-shops".

- Support and encourage local stores who do not stock sexually explicit material. Voice your objections to those who do.

- Do not buy products advertised in an offensive way or which are advertised during sexually explicit or excessively violent TV programs. Let the advertiser know you are doing this.

- Educate your children on the harm of porn and undesirable sexually explicit material.

- Educate the public by speaking up if you have been addicted to, or are a victim of pornography.

- Establish your own community watchdog group and support similar organisations should there be a protest demonstration, anti-porn campaign, etc.