POLICE will be visiting schools in the Bude area this week to deliver advice on social networking and how to keep safe online, with an opportunity for parents to learn as well.

There will be a parent presentation evening on Thursday, November 26 at Bude Junior School to help inform parents of the dangers and what they can do to help keep their children safe online.

During national Anti-Bullying Week PC Steve South, who has responsibility for neighbourhood policing in Bude, will give an online safety presentation to all Year 5 and 6 pupils at the school.

The presentation is part of a project called Virtually S@Fe. PC South will cover cyber bullying and social networking and aims to raise awareness about online risks and provide practical advice so that children and young people can make their own informed choices about their online activity and their personal safety.

After the Virtually S@Fe presentation parents are asked to talk to their child about their learning and ask them to show/teach them what they have learned.

The Child Exploitation and Online Protection agency runs a website whose resources are used as part of the presentation. Parents will be asked to use this website to reaffirm what the children learn during these presentations and to help themselves gain a better understanding.

Visit the website www.thinkyouknow.co.uk for more information.

As part of this week and instead of visiting each individual school and educating the parents of Years 5 and 6, PC South will be holding one group session on Thursday, November 26 between 7pm and 8.15pm at Bude Junior School for parents of pupils attending Bude Junior, Stratton, Marhamchurch, Kilkhampton, Whitstone, Jacobstow and St Marks schools.

All are welcome to attend and it is hoped the session will provide valuable knowledge to help parents ensure their children stay safe online.