Online Safety
Online Safety
We recognise that our students are growing up in an increasingly complex world, often spending significant periods of time online each day. This can present positive and exciting opportunities, but also challenges and risks. Any young person can be vulnerable online, so we aim to equip our pupils with the knowledge needed to make the best use of the internet and technology in a safe, considered and respectful way, so they are able to reap the benefits of the online world whilst staying safe.
The four main areas of online risk can be categorised as:
Content
Content is about the risk young people can be exposed to when interacting with others online such as illegal, inappropriate or harmful material; for example, pornography, fake news, self-harm, misogyny, racist or radical and extremist views.
Contact
Contact is where young people are subjected to harmful online interaction with other users; for example, commercial advertising as well as adults posing as children or young adults with the intention of grooming or exploiting them for sexual, criminal, financial or other purposes.
Conduct:
This is personal online behaviour that increases the likelihood of, or causes, harm; for example, online bullying, making, sending or receiving explicit nude or semi-nude images.
Commerce:
Commerce is to do with the risk from eg. Online gambling, inappropriate advertising, phishing or financial scams and young people can be directly exposed to these risks.
Teaching Online Safety to our students:
At Filey School in our assemblies, form time, Life and IT lessons, we aim to teach our students:
- About the unacceptability and impact of cyber-bullying and what to do if they or others have been affected.
- To be vigilant when online, to recognise that people may not always be who they say they are and to be careful about what they share online.
- To tell a trusted adult if they are worried about something they have seen or heard online.
- To search responsibly for information and to question the reliability of web-based information
Online Safety information for parents- further support and guidance
We recognise that much of our pupil’s use of the internet will occur at home, away from the school filters which alert our DSL of any potentially harmful content that a student may be searching for online.
Below are a list of useful tips and websites that you will hopefully find useful when discussing the issue of online safety with your child.
Online Safety Advice for Families
Install antivirus software, secure your internet connection and use Parental Control functions for computers, mobile phones and games consoles to block unsuitable content or contact. Remember that parental control tools are not always 100% effective and sometimes unsuitable content can get through them.
Device Location
Consider locating your computers and laptops in an area where children's online activity can be monitored or supervised. Always supervise the use of webcams and any applications or devices which allow voice or video chat. Also consider the use and location of other online devices your child uses such as phones and game consoles.
Dialogue
Talking to your child and asking them to show or teach you how they use the internet can present opportunities to discuss online safety. Always ensure your child knows how to block and report people online who may send abusive or inappropriate messages or content. Encourage your child not to retaliate or reply and to keep any evidence.
Make sure your child knows it's important that they tell an adult they trust if anything happens online that makes them feel scared, worried or uncomfortable. Banning internet access will not necessarily work and it can make a child feel less able to report a problem or concern, so education around safe use is essential.
Knowledge
Download the Safer Schools App onto your phone: https://oursaferschools.co.uk/england/
This App gives regular updates and information that enables you to be aware of current concerns and trends that could make your child vulnerable.
Useful resources and links:
Thinkuknow - https://www.ceopeducation.co.uk/
CEOP (Child Exploitation & Online Protection - https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/
Internet Matters - https://www.internetmatters.org/resources/esafety-leaflets-resources/
National Online Safety - https://nationalcollege.com/library
The National Online Safety website offers families a range of downloadable guides and advice for accessing online content and device use
UK Safer Internet Centre - https://saferinternet.org.uk/guide-and-resource/parents-and-carers
NSPCC - https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/
Young Minds - https://www.youngminds.org.uk/media/nkvbqk20/online-safety-updated-feb-2020.pdf
