THE case of Poole karate instructor Tim Stephens, who was grooming a 13-year-old girl online, is a stark reminder to parents to keep tabs on their kids’ internet access.

Stephens, 50, talked inappropriately to the teenager over Facebook chat as she used a laptop in her bedroom.

Dorset Police’s Sergeant Andy Bell led the massive Stephens investigation, which also uncovered more than 37,000 indecent photos of children.

Sgt Bell said: “One of the things we’re finding more and more is young people having unsupervised access to the internet.

“The big question is – do you know what your kids are doing upstairs on a laptop?

“There’s a false sense of security sitting in your bedroom. You’d never speak to a random stranger in the same way but people get into types of conversations online very, very quickly.”

Experts advise keeping home computers in family rooms and keeping youngsters’ Facebook login details.

LV=Streetwise manager Alison Shelton says talking about online dangers is “a difficult conversation”.

Visitors to the Streetwise centre, in West Howe, are shown a mock dark alleyway to test their comfort levels.

“The children have to make choices about going down the alley by how their body makes them feel,” Alison said.

“Do they feel shuddery, is their tummy churning, are their palms sweating or are they getting prickles on the back of the neck?

“It gets them thinking about consequences, making safer choices and telling someone they trust if they feel uncomfortable.”

In the safe LV=Streetwise pretend house, computers are always kept in family rooms.

There’s even an online game simulating an internet chatroom.

“They have to navigate through the chat without giving out personal information and breaking our internet rules,” Alison added.

“There is no question that the internet world is taking over and parents have a responsibility to keep in touch with what their children are doing.”

Visit the websitel streetwisechat.org.uk/chatwise.htm to play.