E-Safety

The internet is a wonderful and rich resource for education. Children are increasingly using it to support learning and for social interaction and entertainment. However, there are also risks to be aware of.

What is e-safety?

E-safety is a term used to promote the protection of young people from the unwanted consequences of using electronic media including the internet, mobile phones and social networks.

Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying is the misuse of digital technologies or communications to bully a person or a group, typically through messages or actions that are threatening and/or intended to cause offence, anxiety or humiliation. It comes in many different forms, and is particularly damaging as the abuse in inescapable - it follows the target everywhere, even into their bedroom.

Privacy and information sharing

Most social media sites allow young users to host a public profile, which presents many concerns regarding their privacy. If privacy settings are not applied, the content they publish on their profiles will be accessible to millions of people worldwide. This information can potentially include; Ø personal contact details; Ø photographs or videos of themselves and their friends; Ø the names and addresses of the schools and clubs they attend; Ø their exact locations at any given time through the use of location tagging features.

In school, we safeguard the children around technology in three ways:

- Filtering and controlling access to the internet

- Monitoring internet use.

- Providing education throughout the curriculum about e-safety and cyber-bullying

Parents can use the same strategies at home and here are some resources to give more help and guidance:

UK Council for Child Internet Safety

Try to be aware of when your children are online and what they are doing. It is important that they are trusted and given some freedom too.

Use your children as experts. Ask them to explain and show you what they are doing online. Let them know that you are always there to talk about anything they find that makes them upset or uncomfortable.

If you have any concerns at all, please contact the school and we can provide support with any worries you have about your child’s use of technology.

Do you know what your children are looking at online?

Roblox: What parents must know about this dangerous game for kids (familyzone.com)

For more websites and apps to be aware of see:

A Complete Guide to Potentially Dangerous Apps for Kids - FamilyEducation