WALTHAM Forest council has become the first London authority to introduce new “e-safety” software in all its primary schools.

The software, called Policy Central Enterprise (PCE), allows staff to analyse, manage and report inappropriate web traffic in order to protect children online.

It targets both threats and distractions and is aimed at preventing pupils from using the web as a social network.

PCE also recognises and monitors keywords that “signal danger” to protect children in chat rooms and on instant messaging programmes.

The measures come a year after a review by TV psychologist Tanya Byron into the risk to children from exposure to potentially harmful material on the internet.

Cabinet member for children and young people Cllr Liaquat Ali said: “With more schools using the internet in lessons, authorities have a greater responsibility to ensure the welfare and safety of pupils using computers.

“By introducing this software across Waltham Forest primary schools, we’re hoping teachers will encourage pupils to enjoy the internet responsibly.

“They can do that with the confidence that the sites pupils visit and any messages they receive are being monitored closely.”

Leading clinical psychologist Professor Byron congratulated the council for taking steps to protect children.

She said: “We need to enable our children to encounter 'appropriate' childhood risks while being confident to be able to manage other more dangerous risks.”