Schools across Wigan and Leigh are being encouraged to take part in a Safer Internet Day.
Concerns continue to grow about the potential dangers to children from online bullying and Internet grooming by paedophiles as chat rooms and social networking sites become more popular.
In a bid to protect youngsters, the national Child Exploitatio
n and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) is encouraging schools in the borough to hold special assemblies to highlight the risks to youngsters.
They want schools to download a special assembly package which they can use to warn pupils how to keep themselves safe online.
A number of schools, including St John Fisher Catholic High School in Springfield and Abraham Guest High School in Orrell have already signed up to take part.
But the CEOP hopes more primary and secondary schools in the area will get involved.
The initiative is part of the European Safer Internet Day on February 12. Schools are being urged to organise special assemblies to tie in with the campaign during the weeks beginning February 11 or 22.
Assembly packages are available for pupils in both Key Stage 1 (eight-10-year-olds) and Key Stages 3/4(11-16-year-olds).
The CEOP has a dedicated website – thinkuknow – where both schools and parents can find advice and guidance on how to protect children. Parents can register their email details for regular updates.
There is also a virtual police station section on the website where young people or parents can report online abuse or situations where they feel uncomfortable or worried.
The site also features interactive areas where children aged five and over can explore and be educated about safe Internet use in a fun way.
A spokesman for the CEOP said: "The Internet is integral to the lives of children of all ages.
"It opens up new opportunities and is now an essential part of their every day world whether they are using it for homework, to talk and share materials with their friends or for a multitude of other uses that are legitimate and beneficial in so many ways.
"But where children go then child sex offenders will follow – whether in the real or virtual world."
Schools and parents who want to find out more can visit www.thinkuknow.co.uk
The full article contains 384 words and appears in Wigan Evening Post newspaper.
