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E-Safety Advice

Online safety for parents
There’s a viral scare online. What should I do?
Tools to keep my child safe
Reporting Issues
Popular games and apps
Online safety for students

Online safety for parents

Children being inquisitive and taking risks are natural parts of growing up. However, technology is changing the way young people can do this.

Below is information to help parents support their children to be safe online. Much of the information was taken from CEOP – guidance for parents (www.thinkuknow.co.uk). This website gives advice on dealing with a range of issues affecting young people such as stalking, sending nudes and maintaining healthy online friendships.

We ask that you consult with the school if you have any concerns about your children’s and others’ use of technology. We also ask that you promote positive online safety and model safe, responsible and positive behaviours in your own use of technology, including social media. This includes not sharing other’s images or details without permission and refraining from posting negative, threatening or violent comments about others, including the school staff, volunteers, governors, contractors, pupils or other parents/carers.

There’s a viral scare online. What should I do?

Reports of online scares or challenges encouraging harmful or suicidal behaviours can be alarming and confusing. For more information about how you can speak to your child about scares and challenges and how to respond if they have seen one There’s a viral scare online. What should I do? (thinkuknow.co.uk)

Tips

Be involved in your child’s online life

For many of today’s young people, there is no line between the online and offline worlds. Young people use the internet to socialise and grow and, just as you guide and support them offline, you should be there for them online too. Talk to them about what they’re doing – if they know you understand they are more likely to approach you if they need support. Here are 7 questions to start this all-important conversation.

Download 7 key questions

Keep up-to-date with your child’s development online

Be inquisitive and interested in the new gadgets and sites that your child is using. It’s important that as your child learns more, so do you.

Emphasise that not everyone is who they say they are

Make sure your child knows never to meet up with someone they only know online. People might not always be who they say they are. Make sure your child understands that they should never meet up with anyone they only know online without taking a trusted adult with them.

Know what to do if something goes wrong

Just as in the offline world, you want to help your child when they need it. See the section below to know when and how to report any problem.

Tools to keep my child safe

The Safer Internet Centre

Provides e-safety tips, advice and resources to help children and young people stay safe on the internet.

Visit

Thinkuknow

Thinkuknow is an education programme from the National Crime Agency’s CEOP Command. Their site offers a suite of articles and guidance on all aspects of child internet safety.

Visit

Parent Info

Parent Info is a website offering information on the wellbeing and resilience of children.

Visit

Educate Against Hate

Educate Against Hate provides practical advice and support to help all individuals with an interest in keeping children safe from the dangers of extremism. This site has been created by the Department for Education and the Home Office.

Visit

Reporting Issues

The Internet Watch Foundation

The Internet Watch Foundation can help you if you need to get content removed from the internet. If your son or daughter has been involved in sexting and the images or videos have been posted online, then the IWF can help get them removed.

Visit

CEOP

CEOP pursue those who sexually exploit and abuse children; prevent people becoming involved in child sexual exploitation and; protect children from becoming victims of sexual exploitation and sexual abuse. If you are concerned about your child being exploited, then make a report here.

Visit

Popular games and apps

It is difficult to keep track of new apps and games and what the safeguarding risks are. Please find below further information about some of the most popular games and apps.

Whatsapp

Download Info

Tiktok

Download Info

Snapchat

Download Info

Deep fake

Download Info

Email scams

Download Info

Tellonym

Download Info

Online safety for students

In school, you have the following responsibilities:

Understand the importance of reporting abuse, misuse or access to inappropriate materials

Know what action to take if they or someone they know feels worried or vulnerable when using online technology

To understand the importance of adopting safe and responsible behaviours and good online safety practice when using digital technologies outside of school and realise that the school’s acceptable use policies cover actions out of school, including on social media

Understand the benefits/opportunities and risks/dangers of the online world and know who to talk to at school or outside school if there are problems

BBC Bitesize has a great quiz to raise awareness of e-safety for students.

Tips

Remember that not everyone is who they say they are

Make sure you never to meet up with someone you only know online. People might not always be who they say they are. Always tell a trusted adult if someone asks to meet you.

Know what to do if something goes wrong

Make sure that you know how to report and block on social media here.

Make sure you know how to have nude or sexual images of yourself removed here.

Spotting a fake profile

Make sure that you can spot a fake profile, sometimes known as Catfishing.

Be a positive bystander

Make sure you are a positive bystander by trying to prevent unpleasant interactions between others here.