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E-Safety For Parents

With the potential that the online world and modern technology offers, young people use technology to express themselves, explore, and be creative. It has changed the way they communicate. 

We all use technology in our everyday lives, and it is vital that we are able to use it safely. If we feel unsafe about something, we need to know what to do. The internet has changed our lives. Many of the things that confuse, baffle, or even scare us are part of the everyday online world and for many of us, this can all be a bit too much. This site aims to make online parenting simple and helps parents develop their online parenting skills and ensure their children are safe. 

 

Internet Safety

Internet Safety CEP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre) 

Click here to see the CEOP website 

Whether you are a child, teenager, parent, carer, or teacher, the thinkuknow website has information for you that could keep you safe online. 

As children grow and become more independent, it is natural that they take this independence online. In our teenage years we explore, try new things and sometimes we push boundaries and take risks. This is an essential part of growing up. 

 

Safer Internet Day 

From gaming and chat, to streaming and video, young people are shaping the interactive entertainment spaces they are a part of. Safer Internet Day celebrates young people’s role in creating a safer internet, whether that is whilst gaming and creating content, or interacting with their friends and peers. 


About Safer Internet Day 

Safer Internet Day is celebrated globally in February each year to promote the safe and positive use of digital technology for children and young people, and to inspire a national conversation about using technology responsibly, respectfully, critically, and creatively. 

Safer Internet Day - Over the years, Safer Internet Day has become a landmark event in the online safety calendar. Starting as an initiative of the EU SafeBorders project in 2004 and taken up by the Insafe network as one of its earliest actions in 2005, Safer Internet Day has grown beyond its traditional geographic zone and is now celebrated in approximately 200 countries and territories worldwide. 

From cyberbullying to social networking to digital identity, each year Safer Internet Day aims to raise awareness of emerging online issues and current concerns. 

 

Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying is bullying through the use of communication technology like mobile phone text messages, social media apps, e-mails, or websites. This can take many forms, for example: 

  • Sending threatening or abusive text/instant messages or e-mails, personally or anonymously. 
  • Making insulting comments about someone on website, social networking site (e.g., Facebook, Instagram and snapchat) or online (blog or YouTube). 
  • Making or sharing derogatory, inflammatory, or embarrassing videos of someone via mobile phone or email such as (Videos or physical/verbal assaults). 

Cyberbullying is a critical issue which can be harmful for the young person involved. It is important that parents and carers understand the way young people communicate with others, the potential risks, and the implications of online behaviour. It is vital that parents/carers and our schools work together to safeguard our students, educate them on the dangers that come with being online and be aware of the repercussions that come with being involved in cyberbullying directly or on the periphery. 

 

Parents E-Safety

Parents are advised to follow these useful tips for supporting your child to be safe whilst on the internet: 

  • 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. 
  • Watch Thinkuknow films to learn more. The Thinkuknow programme has films and advice for children from five all the way to 16. Your child may have seen these at school, but they can also be a valuable tool for you to find out more about what young people do online and some of the potential risks. 
  • 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 is important that as your child learns more, so do you. 
  • Set boundaries in the online world just as you would in the real world. Think about what they might see, what they share, who they talk to and how long they spend online. It is important to continue to discuss boundaries so that they evolve as your child’s use of technology does. 
  • Know what connects to the internet and how. Nowadays even the TV connects to the internet. Your child will use all sorts of devices and gadgets; make sure you’re aware of which ones can connect to the internet, such as their phone or games console. Also, find out how they are accessing the internet – is it your connection or a neighbour’s Wi-Fi? This will affect whether your safety settings are being applied. 
  • Consider the use of parental controls on devices that link to the internet, such as the TV, laptops, computers, games consoles and mobile phones. Parental controls are not just about locking and blocking, they are a tool to help you set appropriate boundaries as your child grows and develops. They are not the answer to your child’s online safety, but they are a good start and are not as difficult to install as you might think. Service providers are working hard to make them simple, effective and user-friendly. Click here to set up parental controls. For more information on parental controls, click here.
  • 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. Therefore, it is important to know when and how to report any problem. Click here for more information on how to make a report.

 

We have compiled a list of more advice on specific topics here: 

 

Additional Support

Please see below a range of links and resources which will provide you with information about key and current safeguarding risks to young people including how you can support them at home.  

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