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.

i ensure the children never access the internet alone and are supervised esp if on youtube as onc click can lead to vids not suitable!!

• How do you help your DC(s) be responsible and stay safe in the real world? Can this be applied online? They have bee taught not to give out there email, phone number, full name, school or address while online. If our older children go on things such a minecraft they have rules they have to stick too, or we restrict their usage

• 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? even our youngest daughters use the internet but they are supervised

• 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 asked friends and families what they thought on the provider and then we also compared prices and packages.

• 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? We have fibre optic as we have older children who use the internet and this is perfect for us.

My biggest concern is how they know more than me about the internet already. It would be beneficial for adults to sit an IT course or a refresher so that we are kept in tune with any changes.

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

Just by keeping an eye on them and making sure they know the potential dangers that they could face.

- 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 help them by playing with them on the laptop and showing them how to use it properly.

- 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 compared products online and read up about them, then I choose the best one suitable for my circumstances. I bought online.

- 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?

The speed is very important to me as it is quite frustrating when it is slow, I never get my broadband's maximum speed. I know a little about fibre optic broadband my broadband supplier offers it in my area but I have not got it.

My DS is driving me mad with the internet. I still restrict his access and it causes so many arguments but there is still so much that I do not want him been able to view.

My DD on the other hand is very good on the net and is extremely responsible. She also has time on the net restricted but I know that she won;t be trying to view anything she shouldn't.

We recently moved so changed our provider, unlimited with a 15mbps speed, which was fab after just 1mbps in our old house. Luckily we had fibre connected a month after and our company were happy for us to swap over to unlimited fibre :) This is fantastic for me as I work from home so it makes my work much easier to do

Our broadband speed is dire - especially considering our city centre location. Our household needs faster broadband if we're to make use of the TV streaming package my husband has signed up for!
Keeping kids safe online is becoming harder and harder. We cant' constantly supervise them, so we have to educate children of the dangers that the internet can pose, always use parental controls and be on guard. Parenting is a tough job!

1. We set parent controls on their android tablets, only let them use them within earshot or the same room as us, only we know how to download games etc plus we have a firewall and antivirus. DD1 (13) has been told about Internet safety and I have the passwords to any websites she frequents so that I can check them.

1. I show them how to use appropriate websites and we spend many a happy hour watching talking animal videos on YouTube (the best reason for having internet access in our humble opinion )

1. We bought online after comparing prices and speeds in our area, we switched from BT as we were receiving very poor customer service. Unfortunately we can't receive virgin media in our rural norfolk village which is a real shame as we are limited to only three providers.

1. See above, we would love faster broadband speeds and fibre optic broadband but we live in a village that up doesn't have that option. The kids continue to be amazed when we visit friends in Norwich quahog have fiber optic broadband and can download programmes and films during the day whereas we have to do it overnight (and one takes all night!)

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

We have talked many times openly about safety both in the real world and online. We have a strict set of rules to follow and both my children understand the need to follow them and be responsible.

• 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 have discussed the many dangers and pitfalls of the internet and how to be responsible and safeguard against this. The knowledge I have shared with my children has evolved and adapted over time and as they've grown older. This is not something to teach as a one off but something that needs to be kept fluid as technology and awareness changes and broadens.

• 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 a bundled package at a great price over the phone and we're very happy with the service we receive at the moment.

• 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 to us and we're very happy with our current package which is great.

I help my child stay safe in the real world by explaining the dangers different situations present and ways in which we can protect ourselves. I think the same principle applies when using the internet. If children understand the dangers they will be more inclined to apply caution.

My eldest is only 6 so his internet use is very limited. He is allowed to use the computer for school work, but this is with adult support. Once he is older he will be able to use the computer independently. However, I will ensure we have parental controls and that the computer is in a visible place.

The last questions are not applicable as we live in a small village which is (sadly) served by one broadband provider!

With Apple being very security conscious and fewer of their computers being attacked by malicious software, I chose a Macbook Pro for internet surfing.

When my son uses my computer I know that he should be safe online. Have spoken about giving out too much personal information on the internet, and he is very responsible.

He only uses the net for about an hour each day, unless doing homework, he would sooner be out with his friends.

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

They only use computer/ipad with us around. Mine are 4, 6 and 8 and we have already had a conversation about clicking on youtube links. Talking to them is really important.

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 have shown DS 1 & 2 how to use a search engine and we have looked up information together. I try to encourage them to use books too!

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?
Price was a key factor - and I was fed up with previous provider's limitations. We had previously been with our current provider so knew them. I bought online.

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?
Pretty important. Speed is a major frustration when trying to watch programmes through iplayer etc. I know what my broadband speed claims to allow me. I also know some things about fibreoptic broadband.

i surf internet everyday from social media to shopping. I always make sure my details are secure and use anti virus software too! Not had any problems so far so think it must be working! x

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

I teach my children that they are their own people, and that they have the rights to say no, to not be bullied or coerced, and that if in doubt, they can ask me if something is or is not appropriate. They know that to cross the road, there are rules that MUST be followed to keep safe. Similarly, they understand that there is "another" world online, and that rules also apply there. If rules are broken in the rule world there are consequences - either they are told off by me for breaking a rule, or they may be injured, for example, because the rule was there for their safety. Online, there are the same consequences.

I also make it my policy to be honest with my children about what the consequences may be, to an age-appropriate level of course. This applies both in the real world and online. Children have to be aware of what the actual dangers are if they are to recognize and avoid those dangers when not subject to direct parental supervision.

• 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 like to explain that the online world is a great research tool (alongside other sources) and a good way of staying in touch with existing friends and family. They see me using the internet (mumsnet, facebook, news, and online shopping) and I hope that this helps them learn what appropriate use it (although I avoid some areas of MN when they are peering over my shoulder!). I ensure that they follow rules such as only looking up agreed things, limiting time spent online, limiting types of online activities and always reiterating that they may only speak online, email etc with known friends and family members. I also ensure that parental controls are used to the full.

• 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?

Where we live there is very limited choice, so I stayed with my current provider as they are the largest with the best support services.

• 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?

The speed is not hugely important as we do not use the internet for streaming, online gaming etc. It is mostly for browsing forums, shopping a bit, and social networking, with the children using things like Mathletics, and some games.

We don't know much about fibreoptic broadband but then I am pretty untechnologically minded..... (I have DS10, DD9 and DS2 1 but he doesn't go online yet)

I was reasonably relaxed about the my DC was doing on-line, as a lot of it related to homework. There were some, what I though innocent games, she played, but I was shocked to see the amount of chat that was being directed towards her (it came throuh to my email so I could see what was happening) and that I thought was potentially unsafe. I now supervise the sites she is allowed to view. I have had to explain that people can pretend to be someone else, but avoid scaring her. She seems to accept the need for my supervision, but it's been an eye opener as to how easily children could be targeted.

I changed provider recently purely based on price. So far, so good, although there were some teething problems.

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

Talk to them regularly about possible problems and solutions.
Practise sensible behaviour with them (e.g. take them on bus routes before sending them off alone).
Yes similar for online behaviour - talk to them, demonstrate how.

• 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?

Set time limits (laptops go to sleep at 9pm), encourage them to be sensible Have access to their facebook accounts to check what's going on.

• 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?

Online reviews.

• 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, we got fibre optic broadband. We live in a village and the old broadband was very slow, we work from home a lot using the internet so this does matter to us.

My DD is still to young to do anything without being with me and checking it's ok but I know that this will be very different before long and setting parental controls will be essential.

Norton and I have none which it quite sad

How do you help your DC(s) be responsible and stay safe in the real world? Can this be applied online?
DD is only two so we haven't had this yet but I'll make sure she is aware of stranger danger, but also that the people you can't see on the internet could be anyone.

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?
Awareness is key. The online world is amazing as long as she is taught to limit what real information she shares.

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?
Recommendations and online reviews

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?
Having worked from home for a number of years in creative media speed was vital and we have a fairly expensive internet package that we probably should downgrade to something that is more of a home / family package. We've been spoilt though and there is always the worry that other services will be less reliable.

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

I would like to answer this particular question. In my opinion it is the quality of relationship i have with my two teenage girls that is central to their responsibility and safety on the internet. Can this be applied online? I'm not sure really. I don't think the internet makes my relationship with my child more or less effective. The trust and respect in parent/child relationship is something which needs to be lived, developed and earned through good interactions. The internet could help to promote this by highlighting the value of good relationships. I can see that my girls respect my views on concerns and safety and we can openly explore how to best use the internet.

Only using the internet at the desktop in the living room means we can keep a casual eye on what's happening.

Would love a faster speed, but no cable / Virgin in our rural area and refuse to use BT after BIG problems with the way they treated my elderly Mum.

Ds is too young to use the internet on his own but I certainly worry about keeping him safe on line when the time comes.
We have BT broadband and the coverage is very patchy and drops out several times a day. We don't have cable in the village.

I think it's important to ensure everyone is safe, but I think you need to give trust and independence at some point

We use microsoft internet safety to restrict what the kids can see. I get a report once a week of what they have been looking at which is always just the same few tame things. I have to admit though I have no idea if it 100% effective - I just have to assume it works. We use virgin media and it just offered me thier new service today. I can't see how it would know which user was which though.

I always use norton the best on the market

By making them aware of the dangers and that everything is not always what it seems and how some people pretend to be there age. To be fair they always ask me before they go on something if I think its safe.