Children are growing up in a world with a bigger range of online activities than ever before and it is sometimes very hard for both children and adults to know how to stay safe.
Parents/Online Safety Information
Most parents/carers will want to reduce the risks to their children, and remembering to set parental controls can reduce the risks to children, and reduce the risk to parents when children accidentally spend online money! The internet matters website explains this quite well. Online safety is not just about protecting children from some of the dangers of the internet – it is also about helping them manage their use of technology and most of the parental controls allow adults to set a maximum time for the use of a device or app.
Internet Matters is a site paid for by many British companies. It has a lot of good advice on adding parental controls as well as on most aspects of online safety. Parental controls will only help keep children safe. The best safety feature that a child has is their parent or carer. Take the time to talk to your child about the apps and games they are using and don’t be afraid to say no sometimes!
The range of online apps changes on a regular basis and the NSPCC have a site called Net Aware. This provides unbiased up-to-date information on current apps and sites along with advice to parents about dealing with issues.
The NSPCC have teamed up with O2 to provide advice to parents and have a free helpline on 0808 800 5002. They will also give support in any O2 shop – you do not have to be an O2 customer.
ThinkUKnow is the website aimed at children and their parents from the National Crime Agency. It has lots of useful suggestions and advice on how to report issues. It also has lots of games and activities including Jessie and Friends for the younger children and Band Runner for the older ones.
For the youngest children being tricked into sharing pictures can be an issue. LGfL have produced a lovely free video which has some great advice and a very catchy song!
Many children will at times suffer from online bullying. It is really important that they have someone they can talk to and know that it is not acceptable. Most apps and sites will have systems inn place that allow bullying to be reported. Your child’s school may be able to help.
Children can call Childline on 0800 1111 for advice on anything that is worrying them.
Finally since 2015 is has been a criminal offence for an adult to send a message with sexual content to a child (This is Section 67 of the Serious Crime Act 2015). If you are concerned that this might have happened please contact The Police without further using the device. This will help ensure that evidence can be preserved. The Police can be contacted by phone or from the ThinkUKnow website.
E-Safety and Home Learning
Remote Learning is put in place when children are isolating at home and it is therefore crucial that we all appreciate the importance of staying safe online. Children will have access to an e-safety folder on their Showbie account. This will contain stories for the children to read that teach the key aspects of staying safe online as well as links to e-safety games and activities for the children to complete at their leisure. As a parent or carer, you also have access to a wide range of resources covering all major concerns and risks for children in the realm of online safety. To access any of these resources, feel free to visit http://nationalonlinesafety.com/enrol/whinfield-primary-school and create your own free login. You can also keep up to date on current advice by following their Facebook page.
ACT Early Campaign – new safeguarding website
- Andrew Allison, Community Resilience Officer at the Local Authority, has asked schools and colleges to share this update with parents.
- The new safeguarding website, operated by Counter Terrorism Policing www.actearly.uk, is aimed at family and friends to encourage them to share concerns that a friend or loved one might be vulnerable to radicalisation.
- Research shows that family and friends are best placed to spot the signs that someone might be vulnerable to radicalisation. We want them to ACT early so their vulnerable friend or loved one can get the support they need before the situation escalates into something more serious.
- The ACT early campaign is even more important than ever in the current pandemic climate where we have seen a decline in Prevent referrals during lockdown.
- Also included on the new website is the partners toolkit here which provides resources such as posters and leaflets and content to use on social media. Further information for safeguarding leads is in the attached bulletin.
Downloads
- How to set up your child’s new devices this Christmas
- Think U Know – Keeping your child safe online
- Online Safety- Parental Controls
- The DISP Guide to Gaming Safely
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