E-SAFETY

The internet, social networking sites, and the various devices used to access them, such as laptops, tablets and mobile phones, are playing an ever increasing and influential role in the lives of our children who use the internet for education, entertainment and communication. Online activity can be a factor in forming a young person’s identity. At St. Joseph’s, we believe that it is both the staff and parents’ responsibility to ensure children are confident when using the internet and aware of what they should do if they come across something they find to be upsetting or worrying. We need to make sure children understand the importance of telling an adult so we can help prevent them from accessing it again.

The following internet guidance aims to provide parents and children with information and resources to help develop safer habits when learning and playing online. Much of the advice about online safety is common sense but the school encourages parents to take time to speak with their children about what they are doing, who they are talking with and where they are going on the internet.
 

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USEFUL POINTS TO REMEMBER

Technology should be used in a central place

Encourage the use of technology in a central family area. This will make it easier to keep an eye on your child’s activities. The best protection still remains that of adult supervision.

Speak with your child about where they go online

Ask your child about what kinds of sites online and what mobile apps they like to use and why. Revisit the conversation from time to time. You could discuss:

• Their favourite online sites

• What they enjoy most?

• What are the fun aspects of being online?

• What do they think could go wrong?

• How would they react if things got out of control?

Be cautious of online strangers

Speak with your child about never arranging to actually meet a person they met online. Never share personal information with anyone online because they may not be who they claim to be.

Be respectful

If you wouldn’t be prepared to say it to someone in person don’t text it, instant message it, or post it as a comment online.

Remind your child that what goes online, can stay online

Referred to as your digital footprint or alternatively as ‘digital dirt’, explain that a silly or offensive picture or post put online today could stay online forever. It could prove embarrassing and detrimental when they are older. A picture taken and then placed online can very quickly become out of their control.

Consequences

Encourage your child to consider the possible consequences of their online actions. Suggest they stop for a moment to consider the possible consequences of their text or online post before they proceed. If the consequences of their online actions impact on the school, the Behaviour Policy will be enforced.

Use privacy settings and sharing controls

Social networking sites such as Instagram, Twitter or Facebook have sharing and privacy controls to manage who sees their personal posts, photos, videos, etc. Using sharing and privacy settings correctly is very important.

Choose a sensible password

Remind your child never to give out their passwords. Instruct your child to create a memorable password preferably containing capital letters and numbers. It is also advisable to change this password occasionally and not to use the same password for all websites.

View online content critically

Just because you see something online, it is not a guarantee that it is true. Encourage your child to be critical as not everything is what it appears to be.

Further Advice and Information
 
If you have a particular concern or would like to speak about any issue of eSafety in more detail, please either contact Dr Viana or the Computing Coordinator, Miss Bouchey. 
 

USEFUL RESOURCES

Parents’ Ultimate Guides - Struggling to keep up with the media and tech your kids are using? Common Sense's Parents' Ultimate Guides can help keep you up to date and answer your questions about all the latest titles and trends. Whether you're trying to figure out if a new app is safe for your teen or if a popular game includes blood and gore, we've got you covered.

Child Safety Online - A practical guide for parents and carers whose children are using social media.

www.childnet.com/ - The Childnet International website gives internet safety advice and links for young people, parents, teachers and other organisations.

www.childnet.com/resources/looking-for-kidsmart- Kidsmart resources has been developed by the children's Internet charity, Childnet International, and has excellent information on many of the technologies used by children with guidance on how to stay safe online.

www.saferinternet.org.uk/ - On the UK Safer Internet Centre website, you can find e-safety tips, advice and resources to help children and young people stay safe on the internet.

www.internetmatters.org/advice/ - Internet matters shows age appropriate technology boundaries for use at home. They also provide some very good resources and information for parents. There are also instructions for setting up parental controls across most devices, search engines and social media.

www.bbc.com/ownit - Own It shows how children can use the internet in a positive and confident way, through stories and videos with children in Upper KS2.

www.betterinternetforkids.eu - A site promoting safe digital habits for children throughout Europe. Has blog posts for trending internet topics and even has a hotline where families can receive support and report anything suspicious online.

www.parentinfo.org/ - Parent Info offers support and information on Online safety, as well as other subjects which may come about with the use of technology and interacting with others online.