Daylesford Academy

Staying Safety Online

The internet has revolutionised and has incredibly changed how we communicate and socialise with people 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  With access at our fingertips, it can be even more challenging to keep children and young people safe online, especially when they have their own computers, laptops, smartphones/mobile phones, tablets and games consoles.

As a parent, carer or a professional, it is important to educate yourself, children and young people that as well as the endless opportunities available through the internet and technology, there are also associated risks to be aware of.

Potential online risks can include:

  • Access and exposure to inappropriate /disturbing images and content
  • Access and exposure to racist or hate material
  • Sexual grooming, luring, abuse and exploitation by/with strangers
  • Sharing personal information with strangers that could identify and locate a child offline
  • Online bullying (cyber bullying) by peer and people they consider their ‘friends’
  • Being encouraged take part in violent behaviour such as ‘happy slapping’
  • Sending or receiving sexually explicit films, images or messages of themselves or others (this is known as sexting when sent by mobile phone)
  • Glorifying activities such as drug taking or excessive drinking
  • Physical harm to young people in making video content, such as enacting and imitating stunts and risk taking activities
  • Leaving and running away from home as a result of contacts made online.

Keeping your child safe

There are several way to help keep child and young people safe online:

  • Educate yourself and children and young people know about the dangers online
  • Tell them what they should do if anything goes wrong online or upsets them i.e. tell someone about it
  • Explain that anything shared online or by mobile phone could end up being seen by anyone
  • Ensure computers and laptops are used where you can see and not out of sight in a bedroom
  • Use parental settings, filtering software and privacy setting to block inappropriate sites and content

Information, Advice and Support to Keep Children Safe Online (internetmatters.org)

Parental Controls on Smartphones & Other Devices - Internet Matters

Broadband & Mobile Network Parental Controls - Internet Matters

Keeping Children Safe is the most important thing to the Solihull Academy community. 

http://www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre/

Internet Matters - advice for parents and carers

Childnet - Parents and carers

Safer Internet Day

Online sexual harassment poster for parents

Guide for parents talking to your child about online sexual harassment

Concerned about Online Safety

If you are concerned about online safety report it via the link below:

SWGfL Report Harmful Content

Snapchat

"Snapchat has recently added a 'Meet Up' feature. If your child is sharing their location, other users would be able to get directions to where your child is. Encourage them to turn their location sharing off, and only be 'friends' on the app with people they know and trust offline. See our factsheet for more information on how to keep your child safe on Snapchat."

Resources

 

10 tips to stay safe online

Cyber Crime Guide for PARENTS/ GUARDIANS/ CARERS

/docs/Snapchat_parent_factsheet_July_2022_S1uPGWl.doc