E-Safety
What is ‘Online Safety’?
In simple terms, online safety refers to the act of staying safe online. It is also commonly known as internet safety, e-safety and cyber safety. It encompasses all technological devices which have access to the internet from PCs and laptops to smartphones and tablets.
Being safe online means individuals are protecting themselves and others from online harms and risks which may jeopardise their personal information, lead to unsafe communications or even effect their mental health and wellbeing.
Advances in technology mean that we have instant, unrestricted access to an ever-growing source of information. These technologies can be fantastic tools for learning, communicating and entertaining but also come with potential risks. It is vital that we all understand these potential risks and how we can safeguard our children against accessing unsuitable material and behaviour online.
For general information and advice across the whole range of technology, games and social media that our children are encountering, visit the Parent Safe website. Its topics include safe settings, screen time, cyberbullying, extremism, how to report an issue and top tips for parents that are frequently updated
One helpful website is Internet Matters - this website is full of tips and advice on how to keep children safe online.
The National Online Safety Website, make it their mission to make the internet a safer place for children. They give school staff, parents and children the knowledge they need to understand online dangers, all in one place. Below are a selction of the guides that they have developed. If you visit their website, or download their app you can access these guides in different languages.
The National Crime Agency (NCA) works with child protection partners, including the police, across the UK and overseas to protect children and young people from online child sexual abuse. For pupils aged between 4 and 7 the following website is the most suitable https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/4_7/4-5/. For children aged between 8 and 10 the following website is more suitable https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/8_10/.
NetSmartz is an interactive educational program from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children® (NCMEC). NCMEC is a private, nonprofit organization which was created in 1984. The mission of the organization is to serve as the nation’s resource on the issues of missing and sexually exploited children in order to help find the missing, reduce child exploitation, and prevent future victimization.The organization provides information and resources to law enforcement, parents, and children, including child victims, as well as other professionals.
The NetSmartz program offers age-appropriate resources to help teach children how to be safer on- and offline. The program is designed for children ages 5-17, parents and guardians, educators, and law enforcement. With resources such as videos, games, downloadable activities, and presentations, NetSmartz entertains while it educates.
The Safer Rotherham Partnership, supported by partners has produced an online safety booklet for the wider community. It is incredibly user friendly and may support you in your work to inform and support parents in keeping their children safe online.
Monkey has been around since 2016 however it has gained more popularity since the closure of Omegle in November 2023.
Please see attached information about the app which could be particularly risky for young people -Monkey App Information Sheet
parents guide to cyberbullying.pdf
