E-Safety Information and AdviceE-Safety in School | Top Tips | Websites and Phone Numbers
The Internet is a great place to connect with people, be creative and discover new things. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has an important role to play in the lives of young people and as ICT is being used more frequently, it is important to raise the issue of E-safety and promote safe and responsible usage of ICT in schools and at home. E-Safety is a national issue and we all must aim to ensure that the Internet is used in a safe manner. In addition to this, being aware of privacy settings, filters and safe usage of social networking sites will enable young people to feel protected online.
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Did You Know?
- Girls are twice as likely to experience persistent cyber bullying than boys.
- 38% of young people have been affected by cyber bullying.
- Abusive emails (26%) and text messages (24%) are the most common methods of cyber bullying.
- 35% of children aged 5-15 years old who use the Internet at home have an active social networking site profile. This breaks down by age as: 1% of 5-7 year olds, 18% of 8-11 year olds and 67% of 12-15 year olds.
- In 2013, 12-15 year olds spent as much time using the internet as watching television.
- 12-15 year olds have an average of 272 social networking friends.
- In 2013, 43% of parents whose children used the Internet at home had parental controls installed on the PC/laptop/netbook.
Sources:
- Department for Education (2011) Tarapdar, Saima and Kellet, Mary. London.
- Ofcom (2013). Children and parents: Media use and attitudes report (PDF). London: Ofcom
E-Safety in School
As part of the ICT curriculum, pupils in Key Stage 3 learn about what information should not be shared in a public domain. As well as this, pupils are educated about the Internet etiquette and guidelines that should be adhered to on social networking sites. PSHCE is also a key area where pupils are educated about E-Safety as the local police community support officer leads a presentation on E-safety, the dangers associated with Internet browsing and the consequences of inappropriate behaviour online. Key Stage 4 pupils also lead whole school assemblies on E-Safety and recognise the importance of privacy settings to ensure important information cannot be accessed by unknown individuals.
Social Networking
Social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter continue to grow in terms of its popularity especially with children, some as young as 7 or 8 years old. Please click on the links below which aim to provide support regarding a range of key topics in relation to social networking.
- Leaflet giving advice about the safe use of Social Networking sites [PDF]
- Facebook Checklist to promote online safety [PDF]
- Privacy settings on Social Networking sites [PDF]
- Video chats and webcams [PDF]
- Website promoting safety on most used sites (Facebook, Skype, Twitter, Youtube, Xbox 360): http://www.childnet.com/young-people/secondary/need-help
- Games : Pokemon Go https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/pokemon-go-parents-guide/
Top Tips
Parents and Carers
- Ensure the computer is kept in an area of the house, where it is easier to monitor what young people are accessing online.
- Make the most of Internet filtering software and use your web browser’s controls to enable security on different websites.
- Inform children not to share their personal information online.
- Create a "code of conduct" policy where young people are involved in creating rules which must be abided by when using the Internet at home.
- Be online together! Browsing the Internet with your child and being involved in their ‘online world’ will promote online safety.
Pupils
- Do not post any personal information online including your phone number, address, passwords or your school.
- SPEAK UP! If you viewed something online that made you anxious, unsafe or uncomfortable, please speak to an adult that you trust.
- If you do not know someone, why are they "your online friend" or "follower"?
- Privacy settings should always be kept to a maximum. Use the search engines on social networking websites to find out how to do this.
- Think carefully when "posting" or "sharing" a photo online. Remember, once a photo is posted online, people will be able to share or download the photo.
Websites and Phone Numbers
- www.ceop.gov.uk
- www.ikeepsafe.org
- www.saferinternet.org.uk
- www.thinkyouknow.co.uk
- www.childnet.com
- www.getnetwise.org
- www.digizen.org
- www.kidsmart.org.uk
Phone Numbers
- Childline – 0800 1111
- StopitNow – 0800 1000900
Latest News
- End Of Term Information
Message from Mr Tapp (Whole School - 07/07/2020) - Limited opening from the 15th June
Face to face contact for Year 10 and Year 12 will begin from the 15th June. (Whole School - 12/06/2020) - Covid 19 Update
Letters update (Whole School - 20/03/2020) - School Closure Year 7, 8 and 10
NUAST will be closed for Years 7, 8 and 10 until further notice (Whole School - 17/03/2020) - Valentines Fundraiser
Fundraiser for end of year celebrations (Whole School - 08/01/2020)
