KEEPING children safe has always been challenging but the internet – and social networking, in particular – has changed the rules.

For years teenagers have spent hours chatting on the phone to friends. Today’s children are no different but the methods of communication they are likely to use are far more dangerous.

Parents can lock the doors and bar the windows but malign influences are more likely to reach out to children via their computer or mobilephone.

Last month the NSPCC warned that children as young as nine were being exposed to pornography, bullying and grooming by online predators.

The case of Ashleigh Hall, the Darlington teenager murdered by a paedophile she met online, is a terrifying reminder of the dangers.

We support the NSPCC’s call for online safety lessons in schools, but the ultimate responsibility for monitoring children’s internet activity lies with parents.

A sensible parent would not allow their child to visit a mysterious new friend without knowing at least something about them – why should the internet be any different?

Adults have to take the lead in setting boundaries, discussing appropriate behaviour and vetting new friends.

The quick-thing actions of the Teesside mother, who trapped an online predator by posing as her daughter, shows what can be achieved with clear parental rules.

As parents we do not have to be computer wizards or social networking experts to keep our children safe.

We just need to use some common sense.