The Church of England in Cornwall and the NSPCC have joined forces to help parents understand how they can keep children safe in the online world.

The Diocese of Truro is distributing special guides produced by the child welfare charity for parents and carers, giving them advice to help their children to use mobile technology safely.

The collaboration has come about after meetings between the NSPCC’s local schools service co-ordinator, Peter Frost; the Bishop of Truro, the Rt Rev Tim Thornton; and chair of the diocesan safeguarding committee, Jane Sloan.

The charity has provided the diocese with around 3,000 copies of the guide, produced with sponsorship from O2. The church will send it out to every Anglican parish priest in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, and to all church schools. There are more copies for any church organisation that wants it, and Peter is available to go into the church schools and deliver animated safety talks to pupils.

Bishop Tim said: “The online world clearly offers us many gifts and opportunities, but that amazing connectivity brings with it some potential for risk. Many of us, as parents, carers, or grandparents, feel ill-equipped to advise our children and really do not know what to do for the best. I hope that this initiative may offer some assistance and useful advice to parents and carers, so they can encourage their children to explore and make the most of this brave new world, but to do so safely and ensure it is a force for good in their lives.”

Peter Frost added: “We’re delighted to be working with the church to get this information spread as widely as we can. It is becoming increasingly important that we, as parents, know how to help our children. Parents need to know where they can go to get sensible advice so they can keep pace with developments and ensure their children are safe. Children will find ways round parental bans on technology if only because of their natural curiosity, so it is essential that parents engage and take proactive steps.

Jane Sloan said: “We have had a very warm reception from schools and churches, there is clearly an appetite from people to find out how they can help to look out for youngsters online. It’s not just parents and carers who are interested, either – I’ve heard there are many grandparents who are equally baffled by how to help their grandchildren when they come to visit and to stay.

“We are working very hard to ensure that the church plays a proactive role in keeping people safe not just in a church context, but also in the wider community. The fact that there has been such a positive response shows that people are very receptive and want to do all they can to help.”