A �1m advertising campaign warning of the dangers of internet paedophiles is being launched by the government.

The television, radio and website messages, being broadcast throughout January, aim to make parents and youngsters aware of how to surf the web safely.

There is also a new set of guidelines for internet service providers, who offer chat and instant messaging services.

These include measures such as the provision of clear warning information, and ways for children to report problems online.

Tips for parents

Keep the computer near you Talk to your child about what they do online Keep a 'favourites' folder of agreed sites Ask your ISP about safety features

The aim is to stop paedophiles "grooming" youngsters online.

An estimated five million youngsters under 16 have private access to the internet, and nearly half of 16-year-olds use chatrooms, according to research published last year.

Children at Cranmore Primary School in Belfast have been well warned of the dangers.

Pupil Stephen Hadden said: "I have been told not to go on them because we will be offered drugs - and not to tell anyone your names because they might kidnap you.

"You could be talking to an adult when they are telling you they are a kid."

Tony Rodgers of Southern Health and Social Services said the worst possible scenario was that paedophiles could get access to children.

"We have some anecdotal evidence of children making arrangements to meet people - thinking that they were meeting other children - and when they got there realising that it was an adult," he said.

"Fortunately in the circumstances which were described to me, the child actually had the good sense to go to a security guard on the premises they were meeting this person."

SDLP assembly member Patricia Lewsley said sensible precautions needed to be taken.

"There should be measures taken to ensure children do not give personal details out," she said.

Home Office Minister Hilary Benn said he hoped the campaign would give parents and children "basic safety messages", without demonising the internet.

"They're exactly the same messages, in essence, that we give our children about people they might meet in the street - don't go with strangers," he told BBC Breakfast.

Tips for young surfer

Never give your address or phone numbers to strangers Do not meet a stranger alone Tell your parents if you are exposed to anything you dislike

"It's not intended to add to worry, it's about giving our children the information they need to protect themselves.

"The internet is a great tool, it opens up all sorts of possibilities and we don't want to scare people about using it, we just want to make sure that when you use the internet you do so safely."

Children's charity Childline said the advice was very welcome, as it received "hundreds" of calls a year from children who had been "very distressed by experiences they've come across on the net".

Chief executive Dr Carol Easton told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "They're putting themselves at risk and they've been abused as a result, so the dangers are real."

She compared the advice to teaching a small child how to cross the road - saying the guidelines would alert and empower young surfers.

Nigel Williams, chief executive of internet safety charity Childnet, told Breakfast the guidelines for the ISPs were an "excellent first step".