PC World has launched a scheme to keep children using PCs and notebooks safe online.

The Children’s Charter has been developed with help from the online safety charity Childnet to keep children safe from harmful content.

When a customer buys a computer from PC World, they can elect to have a free 30-minute session with the retailer's technical help desk, the Techguys. The aim is to show parents how to configure Microsoft’s Vista security settings to their particular needs.

Mary Louise Morris, head of education and awareness at Childnet, said: "When we meet with parents, they want to know what the police, schools and ISPs are doing to protect children, but ultimately it comes down to the responsibility of individual parents."

Parents are shown topics such as how to create a separate user account for a child and setting up and demonstrating activity logging. They will also learn about web filtering features that can block any pornographic or inappropriate websites, as well as monitor who their children talk to online. They will also be shown how to set time limits for when their children use the internet.

Under the Charter, those purchasing a notebook from the Advent K range, will also be guided through the security configurations of Symantec's Norton 360 security software, which is preinstalled with a year's free subscription.

However, those who want advice on using alternative security software will be charged an installation and demonstration fee, as will any further support required after initial configurations. Charges for these vary depending on the support required.

Despite this, PC World said that the scheme has benefits; it saves PC World's £19.99 fee that is normally charged for a Vista security demonstration.

John Carr, technical advisor for the children's charity, NCH, told Computeractive that the Charter was also helping to move the security industry along.

“We have been saying for years that any domestic PC or notebooks should come preinstalled with the highest possible children’s security," he said.

"Of course these settings can be taken off or changed but initially they should be there so if a child uses without their parents knowing, they are automatically protected.”