Failing to monitor children’s use of the internet could land parents in jail. The government has warned that neglecting to supervise a child’s online activity is a criminal offence.

And as terrorist groups such as Islamic State recruit South African teenagers online‚ the government wants to teach parents how to police their offspring’s use of the net.

“We have examples of children who have been recruited online to join armed forces in different parts of the world‚” Telecommunications and Postal Services Deputy Minister Hlengiwe Mkhize said.

“We are saying that these are risks that families can manage if they don’t abandon that primary responsibility of transferring culture and critical values that young people internalise.

“Whether you falter online or default in protecting a child from outside technology you are equally responsible‚” she said.