We all know we’re spending more and more online these days. In fact, last year Britons spent an average of almost £150 more online compared to the year before, according to official figures. The numbers show that nearly three quarters of us were buying some sort of goods for delivery over the Internet at least once a month, with trust in online retailers apparently fuelling the boom.
But how can we be sure that we’re safe online? And how can we make sure that our children are safe too? Tomorrow is Safer Internet Day (SID), organized every year in February to remind us to use the Internet safely, especially children and young people around the world.
Safer Internet Day’s message is “Let’s create a better internet together”, so in light of that, here are our top tips on Internet safety:
1. As well as shopping for goods to be delivered to your door, there are also online games available over the Internet, which ask for payments to increase levels or stages of a game. Look out for these as they can cause children to run up big bills without realizing.
2. Watch out for gambling websites too that could prompt users to part with cash for offers and prizes and risk building up debts.
3. Checking the terms of conditions of any online spending is a good idea for adults as well as children – ensuring that a refund or exchange is possible as they would in any High Street store.
4. Keep an eye on the amount of spending your children are doing online. With simple one-click purchases it has never been easier to spend.
5. Try out goHenry for free – it’s a cash card designed specifically for children with parental controls. It helps children spend within the spending rules set by their parents set, avoiding the perils of tip number 1 above!