Safety

• Think about how your family spends leisure time. After all, is playing on the computer any different to watching television all night?
• Agree the amount of time your child can spend on the computer every day. Be firm. Make sure your partner or ex backs you up and keeps to the rules when you are out.
• MSN messenger is a favourite for your child to talk to their friends. Think of it as alternative to phoning - and cheaper! Keep a time limit as you would with the phone.
• When buying computer games check if there is an age certificate, as some games have 'adult content'.
• If your child has already got a pattern of constantly being on the computer you may need to rethink your approach so that you meet half way.
• ...

Keeping our children safe at all times is a big worry for most parents.  We worry about them when they are at school, home or when they are playing out of sight. Family Lives understands the concern parents feel when letting their children explore their environment independently. We have compiled top tips in conjuction with SAFE network, here are 10 golden rules to help you keep your child safe while they develop their independence:

• Name, address, number: as soon as children are able to understand, teach them their full name, address and...

The Children’s Society’s latest research reignites the debate around smacking and parenting in the UK.

The fact that a high percentage of parents are wary of allowing their children out in the evening yet do not worry about smacking children is clearly of concern. The reality is children in the UK face a risk of about one in a million of being killed by a stranger*.

A recent YouGov Poll commissioned by Parentline Plus and Living Streets found that 60% of parents fear their child will be killed or injured in a road traffic accident, abducted or murdered when out unaccompanied. Smacking however, can also potentially cause untold physical and emotional harm to a child.

Many parents contact Parentline Plus wanting to find alternative ways to discipline their...

Family lives, in association with SAFE network offers the following advice: If you suspect that a child is not being looked after properly, it can be difficult to know what to do for the best, especially if you don’t know the child involved. Parents tend to act on instinct in order to protect their children, and if you feel that another child is being abused or neglected, you should try to do something about it. You may feel embarrassed, cautious, or fearful of how the child’s parent or carer might react. However, in a situation where you fear a child may be in danger, you must not ignore it, even if you feel like you’re being intrusive. Talk about it

• If you know the child’s parents, try to...