EurISP has issued some top tips to keep kids safe while they surf.

* Put the computer in a central location in your home where you can monitor what your child is seeing.

* Regularly check the history of internet files viewed on your computer.

* Always visit chatrooms yourself to ensure they are suitable before allowing your child to use them.

* Do not leave your children at the computer while you are out.

* Protect your internet access with a password - which means your child cannot use the net without your permission.

* Tell your children about the dangers of the internet.

Dad's effort to help children surf safely

Sons inspire firm's pornography filter

A HUDDERSFIELD father has set up a company aimed at making the internet safer for children.

Oakes man Tim Longton has founded EurISP at headquarters in Queensgate.

He switched careers after being director for an international internet company until last August.

But his sons, 10-year-old Joshua and six-year-old Sam, inspired him to start his own company - with the focus on making surfing the net safer.

He took the plunge and set up in business in September last year.

Mr Longton explain: "My sons wanted to surf the internet and knowing what they could come across, I would not let them near it.

"So I decided to develop something that was child-friendly because the internet is fun. There are just a few who spoil it."

Among its services, EurISP provides broadband and dial-up internet and protective software.

Mr Longton, who is chief executive of EurISP, said that warnings about the net have waned in recent years, but the dangers are still there.

He said: "The problems have got worse. Protective software is essential.

"There are a lot of website links with child-friendly names which actually contain adult content.

"If you think your children are safe, then it is worth remembering that one in five children aged 10 to 17 have received a sexual solicitation over the internet.

"One in four young surfers are exposed to unwanted sexual material."

One way people receive unwanted pornographic material is via pop-up internet ads, although there are a number of programs around that block pop-up ads out.

Other sources are links with a name which hides the site's true nature.

Mis-spelled internet addresses or unsolicited e- mails also cause problems.

To combat this, there a range of protective products.

EurISP has developed a product called CleanWEB content filtering.

It searches out pornography by using keywords - then blocks the material.

It also has a database of 12.5m inappropriate websites which are blocked from the computer.

The programme uses software to check inappropriate sites and adds new ones to its banned list every few minutes.

Parents can switch CleanWEB off if required but it cannot be removed because it is part of the internet package controlled by EurISP. CleanWEB comes free if you sign up for the internet with EurISP.

Mr Longton said his company is also working on software which can detect inappropriate content in chatrooms.

But he stressed technology should not be a substitute for parental vigilance.

He said: "Nobody will ever be able to guarantee 100% that everything inappropriate can be blocked.

"Parents should use their discretion as to how much their children should be allowed on the internet.

"A few simple rules could save your son or daughter from subjected to abusive, sexually explicit and dangerous websites."