Every pupil in the Highlands has been issued with a leaflet explaining how to protect themselves online.

"How can I protect myself? Ciamar A Dhìonas Mi Mi-fhèin?' promotes safer and responsible use of onllne and mobile technology.

All schools throughout the Highlands are being encouraged to hold their own internet safety events and activities to make pupils and their parents aware of how to keep safe.

The leaflet was developed by Highland Council's Education Culture and Sport Service which provides internet access through more than 130 publicly available computers, which are filtered for young people under 16.

The leaflet explains that the internet is a public place and young people have to be careful who they trust in cyberspace. It encourages pupils to use a nickname and to keep real names, home and school addresses and telephone numbers a secret. It also explains that children should never send anyone a picture of themselves without their parents or guardians permission.

Councillor Bill Fernie said in a statement: "It's vital that young people can be using these great opportunities for communicating, learning and socialising both safely and responsibly.

"Through this initiative we hope that they can learn to protect themselves and enjoy the benefits of new technology."

The Highland Council Education, Culture and Sport Service, Northern Constabulary and NHS Highland in partnership with other agencies has recently developed an E-Safety Strategy which has recommended that all schools include a comprehensive programme of education on `Internet Safety and Responsible Use' using approved resources.