Police in the south of the Island have been raising awareness of cyber bullying, computer viruses and the dangers of social networking sites.

As part of Safer Internet Week, they have been visiting schools to find out what online dangers children have encountered, and explaining how to avoid them in the future.

A Castle Rushen pupil told Manx Radio how a friend received some unwanted attention:

"She went on MSN once and this man contacted her, and he was asking where does she live, what's her address, how old is she and has she ever been to the pub and stuff like that.

"She got really scared and she started worrying."

Sergeant Phil Drowley says the internet is misused on the Isle of Man, and parents can't afford to be complacent about the dangers.

He told Manx Radio the key to avoiding problems is communication:

"Speak to your children, see what they are up to, see what they are doing.

"Perhaps you can actually have the computer downstairs or in a communal area, where you can keep an eye on them, but really it's (important to) converse with them, because they will actually know more about it than you do."

Sergeant Drowley advises parents to visit thinkyouknow.co.uk for more information.