Talk to Virgin Media about your internet habits and internet safety for your DCs - you could win an iPad Air! NOW CLOSED

[AngelieMumsnet]

Virgin Media have asked us to find out out about Mumsnetters' internet habits, as well as internet safety for your DCs.

Virgin Media say "At Virgin Media we know that the online world offers loads of opportunities for kids to have fun, explore and learn new things. But there might also be some things that you’d rather your child didn’t see or do. The web's packed with fun and informative stuff for your kids to explore but, just like in the real world, there are things we all need to watch out for. Experts say that much of what you know about parenting in the real world also applies online, and at the end of the day, you know your kids best! So, we'd love to hear about how you and your children use the internet"

Below are a few points to get you started, but feel free to add any other comments you have:

• How do you help your DC(s) be responsible and stay safe in the real world? Can this be applied online?
• How do you help your DC(s) make the most of the online world, and become a safe and responsible user(s) of the internet?
• Last time you were choosing your broadband and TV services, how did you make your decision? Was it based on things like recommendations from friends or family, or reviews? Did you buy online, over the phone or go into a store?
• How important is the speed of internet in your household? Do you know what your broadband speeds allows you? What do you know about fibre optic broadband?

Please note, Virgin Media may use your comments on social media and elsewhere, so please only comment if you're happy with this.

Everyone who adds a comment to this thread will be entered into a prize draw to win an iPad Air (Space Grey, 16GB and Wi-Fi enabled).

Thanks, and good luck!
MNHQ

PS - Check out Virgin Media's exclusive offers for Mumsnetters here.

Always negotiate with your broadband provider at the end of your contract and be prepared to leave if you don't get the price you want.

I've recently renegotiated by broadband and telephone price with Virgin Media. I researched online for the best comparative deal and found the same package about £20 cheaper, when VM refused to match the deal I cancelled by contract with them. A few days later I got a phone call from the customer retention team and I was able to name my price for staying with them and ended up with an even better deal then if I'd have switched.

My dc can only go on the internet when they are in the same room as me so I can keep an eye on what they are on.

My DDs are still too young to have independent use of the internet. I do have sufficient security but will make that even stronger (limiting access to suspect URLs etc) when the need arises. I know I will worry about my DDs' use of social media sites when they're older because so much can be posted on these which won't get picked up by any restrictions I set up; in which case it will be imperative that I educate my DDs about the dangers imparting as much info to them about how to use the internet responsibly. Our internet provider I choose as part of a TV/internet package and I am happy with the service which is sufficiently fast, and we also have the choice to have fibre optic if we wish.

ours only go on the internet to download free game apps and we have put the settings so they cannot click on apps within the games to buy any in game extras

How do you help your DC(s) be responsible and stay safe in the real world? Can this be applied online? - I am a SAHD and my son has been brought up with stranger danger and the code word, which I think is directly transferable to the internet. Anyway at 6, my son is only on the PC when I am on with him and has no mobile phone let alone a mobile that has internet access and long may that continue too!!

• How do you help your DC(s) make the most of the online world, and become a safe and responsible user(s) of the internet?

We surf together and watch stuff together so I can explain or educate at the same time. I have Virgin and have activated the parental control facility anyway, so that stops any curiousity...what a kill joy I am!

• Last time you were choosing your broadband and TV services, how did you make your decision? Was it based on things like recommendations from friends or family, or reviews? Did you buy online, over the phone or go into a store? - I have been with Virgin since 99 and whilst the newcomers have come (and gone) am happy with them.

• How important is the speed of internet in your household? Do you know what your broadband speeds allows you? What do you know about fibre optic broadband? I couldn't care less what the speed is as long as it allows me to view autotader and watch you tube videos. I am a luddite and so don't pretend to know anything about fibre optic or my actual speed or my contract speed and nor am I bothered really.

Having read other parents comments I particualy like Oh you bad bad kitten advice for when my son is older. I don't possess an real common sense so it has to be learnt from scratch so that I can teach my son what is best

My children are 2 and 4 so still quite young but as I work in education with a lot of personal safety stuff I have started teaching them young. They share an ipad that is totally locked down for kids stuff only. I'm teaching them to trust their guts if they don't like something that is going on they will shout "no thankyou I don't like that!", wherever possible I listen to them and respect them (even if it means some teethbrushing negotiation sometimes!).

They also know sometimes the internet/youtube might have "grown-up stuff" that is not appropriate for them too see (despite the parental controls) and that they can always talk to us if they do happen to see anything that worries or upsets them. (so far they haven't but an episode of tintin on netflix had my 4year old hiding behind a door but she adores tintin so we are watching it together and skipping the scary bits with our own versions. "blistering barnacles!".

My 4year especially adores taking selfies and is always asking me to upload to facebook so granny can see. We have talked about control of her images and she understands that I can restrict who sees them by facebook but not via twitter. She always has final veto on whether an image is shared or not. As they grow up I will talk frankly about some of the upsetting things online and encourage them to be open with me. We will use the internet together as a tool to find out things but recognising some of the dangers.

In answer to the other questions we already have fibre optic broadband and shopped around for a good deal.Think we bought it online.

• How do you help your DC(s) be responsible and stay safe in the real world? Can this be applied online?
• How do you help your DC(s) make the most of the online world, and become a safe and responsible user(s) of the internet?

I encourage them to always be aware of their surroundings. I make sure I know where they are and who they are with at all times. This can be applied online to an extent. By keeping an eye on their internet history and making sure their Facebook friends are only people they know in real life. BY going through basic interent saftey guidelines; for eg, realising that people can hide their identities online.

• Last time you were choosing your broadband and TV services, how did you make your decision? Was it based on things like recommendations from friends or family, or reviews? Did you buy online, over the phone or go into a store?

recommendation plays a part, but mainly we research ourselves to find the best deal.

• How important is the speed of internet in your household? Do you know what your broadband speeds allows you? What do you know about fibre optic broadband?

Speed is very important, although it seems hard to get the speeds advertised, and unlimited downloads also as we download a lot of data.

Olivia's too young for the internet but I shall make sure that parental controls are in place when she gets older

Keep your internet security up to date.

We keep everything out in the open so nothing can be hidden and limit time allowed on devices. We also spend time together whether it's researching, playing games or just listening to music, this gives us time to chat about things to look out for and possible pitfalls. Good solid parental controls are a must.

We only allow her on selected apps or under supervision when online

I work in IT, and like to think the kids know what they are doing, but yta just gota keep an eye on them, i dont let them take there laptops into their rooms, no phones in bedrooms after 7pm. we use iphones, and I use wondershare Dr Fone ( they know we do as well). I have there laptops and the main PC set up as users, not as admins, and they know I know what I am doing, and touch wood, so far we have not had any "issues!"

no computers/tablets or phones in their bedrooms

Speed is massively important here - I'm so impatient waiting for pages to load sometimes - very frustrating. As far as my girls using the internet, they are always supervised so w have no issues there :)

mine are too little for the computer, but they do play iPad games. I have turned off in-app purchases and password protected the App Store to stop them from doing anything untoward!

My dd is older now but when she was young I explained the dangers to her but she still got bullied however she did tell me, people were duly reported to relevant authorities and I limited time on the computer which was only to be accessed in the living room, she listened and did what she was asked and things improved online greatly.

• How do you help your DC(s) be responsible and stay safe in the real world? Can this be applied online?

always be wary of strangers

• How do you help your DC(s) make the most of the online world, and become a safe and responsible user(s) of the internet?

always supervise them

• Last time you were choosing your broadband and TV services, how did you make your decision? Was it based on things like recommendations from friends or family, or reviews? Did you buy online, over the phone or go into a store?

n/a

• How important is the speed of internet in your household? Do you know what your broadband speeds allows you? What do you know about fibre optic broadband?

very important with 3 of us online

i have two older children aged 14 and 15 and sometimes i feel that they know more than me about staying safe on the internet ! they both only use it while they are in the same room with me and ive always encouraged them to talk to me if they see anything worrying or inappropriate

How do you help your DC(s) be responsible and stay safe in the real world? Can this be applied online?

In the real world I am trying to step back and let my child make decisions for himself so he can take responsibility a bit, so I ask him to ask for his food in restaurants, ask for something he wants in a shop. None of this helps online where he has more confidence as no 'people' to feel shy of.

• How do you help your DC(s) make the most of the online world, and become a safe and responsible user(s) of the internet?

We talk a lot about use of the internet, about his friends and what they are allowed to do, and what he is allowed to do. I supervise less now as he needs room to make his own mistakes, but he knows to never give out his name etc.

He has some friends who have had the same 'never give out your name online' lessons as him who have ignored the lessons, one even gave out his address on line to DS and a few other friends but also 6 strangers. It's a bit like teaching them to cross the road - they know the rules but will they follow them when on their own?

Last time you were choosing your broadband and TV services, how did you make your decision? Was it based on things like recommendations from friends or family, or reviews? Did you buy online, over the phone or go into a store?

We bought online - choice wholly on price as we got a wrapped phone/internet/TV deal for a good price. Currently won't switch as we are locked in to a contract with massive cancellation charges.

• How important is the speed of internet in your household? Do you know what your broadband speeds allows you? What do you know about fibre optic broadband?

I know only that we have switched to fibre optic recently when we moved house. We had to stay with the same provider because of the cancellation charges despite there being other providers we could use now. Have not noticed any difference whatsoever between old broadband and new fibre optic...

Overall as with most things I am happy with the safety I provide my DCs at home, and the lessons they receive in school. The main problem is when they are at friend's houses where they have less or no restrictions. I don't know how to keep DCs safe on the internet when they are elsewhere.

my DDs ipad is linked to my itunes account and she is not allowed to know the password! so no apps are downloaded without my knowledge!

I always make sure their computer useage is done in the lounge so I can keep an eye out. We have also had numerous chats over the dangers of giving details away or clicking on links that they're not sure of!

we always supervise and the children have been told not to click on anything that might appear without checking with us first.

choosing our broadband and TV services the decision was based on the speeds available in our area, online reviews and price. we always phone to arrange as it seems to be the best way to get a good deal.

internet speed is really important in our household as we have services such as netflix and use the home broadband to work from home

My daughter is 12 and likes looking at videos on YouTube so I do worry about her safely. I tend to let her use the iPad downstairs only and in my presence. I don't look over her shoulder but I trust her to be honest and tell me what she's viewing.