Children will be taught to "zip it, block it and flag it," under a new code for internet safety to be taught in every primary school in England from the age of five.
For the first time, web safety skills will be a compulsory part of the curriculum to help tackle the problem of cyber-bullying and online grooming by paedophiles.
The plans, launched by the prime minister in London today, come after a major review of online safety by the child psychologist Tanya Byron, and were drawn up by the UK Council for Child Internet Safety.
The "zip it, block it, flag it" code is based on the green cross code. Children will be advised not to disclose personal information, to block contact from people who are bullying or harassing them, and to flag up any problems up to parents, teachers or website providers.
Gordon Brown, launching the plans, said: "The internet provides our children with a world of entertainment, opportunity and knowledge – a world literally at their fingertips. But we must ensure that the virtual world is as safe for them as this one.
"Today we are launching our online version of the green cross code. We hope that 'zip it, block it, flag it' will become as familiar to this generation as 'stop, look, listen' did to the last."
Internet companies, charities and the government will be independently reviewed against UKCCIS standards to keep children and young people safe online. A new website for internet safety advice, hosted by the Child Exploitation and Online Protection centre (Ceop), will give parents more advice on how to protect their children online.
Ed Balls, the children's secretary, said: "New standards on internet safety mark a watershed in government and industry cooperation. I am pleased some of the biggest names in the industry – including Microsoft, Google, and Bebo – are giving it their backing. In addition, our new digital code will provide a handy tool for children and parents to give them the confidence to know how to protect themselves online."
Internet safety lessons will become a compulsory part of the personal, social and health education curriculum which is being made a mandatory part of the primary curriculum and also covers sex education. Headteachers have warned against overloading the primary curriculum with mandatory areas of study.
