Online Safety

The internet is such an integral part of our lives these days. Over 2 Billion people on the planet now have access to the internet and this number is growing rapidly. It opens up so many educational and social opportunities, giving access to, quite literally, a world of information and experiences. Whether on a computer at school, a laptop at home, a games console or mobile phone, children and young people are increasingly accessing the internet whenever they can and wherever they are. Pupils at school now have never known a world without the internet – yet for many adults the internet is only a recent innovation. As you would protect yourself in the real world, you will want to make sure that you are safe whatever you are doing. Like learning to cross the road, online safety skills are skills for life. If you understands the risks and can make sensible and informed choices online, you can get the most from the internet and stay safe whilst doing so.


These Dangers can include:

  • giving out personal information

  • arranging to meet an online ‘friend’

  • viewing unsuitable content e.g. hate material, adult content, sites that endorse unhealthy behaviour

  • spending too much time online which can effect concentration, education, sleep and health

  • becoming involved in, or the victim of, bullying, identity theft, or making and sending indecent or illegal images

  • copying information from the Internet or buying work from other people to use as their own.


Password Security

1- Always keep you passwords secret and make sure they are not easy to guess. Try to include capital letters and numbers in your password. Tip: Try turning sentences into passwords – “My dog Rover is 3 years old” becomes “MdRi3yo”.

2- Change your password on a regular basis.

3- If you think someone knows your password make sure you change it.

4- If you have the option of setting a security question then do so. Make sure that it is a question that only you know the answer to.


Omegie

I would like to bring to your attention a significant safeguarding concern surrounding an app called Omegle, which has become popular with young people across the UK. The app introduces people to random strangers and has both chat and video chat options. Clearly, this is not an app appropriate for young people, despite only requiring a user to be 13 or older.  There are a variety of random chat apps, like this one, appearing across both the apple app store and Google play etc.   

Omegle has been around for probably over a decade, it goes up and down in popularity and people tend to only use it for a short time before the excitement fades. It is not the most appropriate app.

The concept has been copied many times, there are various other apps and websites that do similar things. There is more information, reviews and advice around Omegle (and other similar apps) on the common sense media website here: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/website-reviews/omegle


SnapChat Update

You may be aware that the most recent Snapchat update may be a threat to child safety.

There is a new feature in which any photos/videos you take can be made public on a map for ANYONE to see including people who are not your friends.

Students will need to turn their app to ‘ghost mode’ so that strangers cannot see their pictures.

It seems the update has not been clear on how their pictures will be used but there are concerns that it can be as accurate as showing the stranger the location of the house as well as the pictures.


Momo Challenge

There have been recent reports that some seemingly innocent videos on YouTube and YouTube Kids (such as ‘surprise eggs’, unboxing videos and Minecraft videos) have been edited by unknown sources to include violence provoking and/or other inappropriate content. Click the link below for a guide for parents to protect children from the inappropriate content

MOMO Online Safety Guide for Parents


IWF

IWF is a service which can support in the removal of inappropriate images from the internet for more information visit www.iwf.org.uk/


ThinkUKnow

Families can visit www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents to access advice and support on how to keep children safe from sexual abuse, both online and off. Articles provide guidance on topics as diverse as: challenging harmful sexual attitudes and promoting positive behaviours; helping a child with autism negotiate life online; supporting a child who has been sexually abused; and dealing with a range of online issues such as sending nude selfies and viewing pornography. Users will find films, downloadable guides and useful links to support organisations.


ParentZone

Parent Zone provide support and information to parents, children and schools, working globally to help families to navigate the internet safely and confidently. They work with parents, schools, governments and businesses to study, understand and address the impact of emerging technologies on young people. Visit www.parentzone.org.uk