A head teacher has warned parents of the importance of talking to children about the dangers of the internet – saying children could be exposed to “addictive behaviour, sleep deprivation, unsafe contacts and access to damaging and abusive content”.

Dr James Kilmartin, from Cardinal NewmanSchool in The Upper Drive, Hove, issued the warning following a parents’ meeting at the school earlier this month.

He said children were taught about esafety in personal, social and health education (PSHE) lessons which have been part of the National Curriculum since 2000.

Previously sexual health, drug-taking and alcohol formed the basis of PSHE lessons.

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In a letter to parents, Dr Kilmartin said: “From my point of view one of the most important points made at the meeting was that, whatever the technology or blocking mechanisms available, the most effective thing we can do as a school and as parents/ carers is to talk to our children about the risks inherent in internet-related technology (including addictive behaviour, sleep deprivation, unsafe contacts and access to damaging and abusive content).

“We need to guide and support them to make the right choices.

“This approach has much in common to the way in which we also try to support our young people in managing other areas of risk they will be exposed to.”

Speaking to The Argus, Dr Kilmartin said: “We are aware the internet is one of the many risks that face young people.

“Young people face risks in relation to driving, drinking and sexual conduct – this is another one.

“We have put a lot of emphasis on esafety from the word go.”

He said he could not ban pupils from using Facebook, but added it was forbidden for children aged 13 and under to have an account.

This is not the first time Brighton and Hove head teachers have spoken out about social networking.

Haydn Stride, head of Longhill High School in Falmer Road, Rottingdean, called the site the “new toilet wall” after pupils in Brighton and Hove joined a page dedicated to spreading vicious gossip.

He warned all his school’s parents after he discovered students as young as 13 had signed up to a page which focused on spreading malicious and unfounded gossip about other youngsters in June.

Earlier this month Jonathan Whitfield, head at Woodingdean Primary School in Warren Road, asked Facebook to delete profiles belonging to underage children.

In May this year children as young as five at Coldean Primary School in Kenwards, Brighton, were to be banned from using school computers – unless they sign contracts promising to behave online.