E-SAFETY
Modern technology is an intrinsic part of everyday life. Our students use ICT extensively both in the Academy and outside of it. Along with the opportunities that modern technology offers, it also brings with it risks that all students need to be aware of and able to manage. When we talk about online safety we are not just talking about the internet, we are talking about the use of computers, games consoles such as the Xbox or Playstation, mobile phones, televisions, tablets and many other things.
At Monkwearmouth Academy we take online security very seriously with a rolling programme of activities to advise and support students, parents and staff.
This includes:
► All staff receive regular online safety training and are familiar with the Academy Child Protection policy and other linked policies. Staff are CEOP trained.
► All staff and students sign and agree to abide by an ICT acceptable use agreement.
► All students receive advice and guidance which is age-appropriate
► Students learn about online safety in their ICT lessons and through targeted input during personal development lessons and assemblies.
The Academy has an E-Safety policy, which is aimed at establishing the rules we have in place for using ICT equipment and the internet within the Academy. The policy details guidance and advice on issues such as the use of social media, electronic devices, behaviour on the internet, protecting yourself and many others.
Internet Safety Tips from ThinkUKnow
► Help your children to understand that they should never give out personal details to online friends they do not know offline.
► Explain to your children what information about them is personal for example an email address, mobile number, academy name, sports club, arrangements for meeting friends and family and any pictures of videos of themselves, their family of friends. Small pieces of information can easily be pieced together to form a comprehensive insight in to their lives and daily activities.
► Make your children aware that they need to think carefully about the information and pictures they post on their profiles. Inform them that once published online, anyone can change or share these images of them.
► It can be easy to forget that the internet is not a private space, and as a result sometimes young people engage in risky behaviour online. Advise your children not to post any pictures, videos or information on their profiles, or in chat rooms, that they would not want a parent or carer to see.
► If your child receives spam or junk email and texts, remind them never to believe their contents, reply to them or use them.
► It’s not a good idea for your child to open files that are from people they don’t know. They won’t know what they contain – it could be a virus, or worse – an inappropriate image or film.
► Help your child to understand that some people lie online and that therefore it’s better to keep online mates online. They should never meet up with any strangers without an adult they trust.
► Always keep communication open for a child to know that it’s never too late to tell someone if something makes them feel uncomfortable.
Guidance Documents:
► Live Lessons - Safeguarding Guide
► NetOnline Support - Safeguarding Guide
ONLINE SAFEY ORGANISATIONS
There are many organisations which can provide advice and support on how to keep your child safe online.
CEOP works with child protection partners across the country and overseas to identify the main threats to children and coordinates activity against these threats to bring offenders to account. They protect children from harm online and offline – www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre
ThinkUKnow is an education initiative by the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre the UL’s national law enforcement agency that focuses on tackling the sexual abuse of children. The website has many useful resources for young people and parents - www.thinkuknow.co.uk
Childnet International – Whether you’re puzzled by parental controls or would like to know more about gaming, this section can help. We all know that it can sometimes be challenging to keep up to speed with what children and young people are doing online. Luckily on this site you’ll find a whole host of useful ways to keep your child safe – www.childnet.com/parents-and-carers
The Digizen website provides information for educators, parents, carers and young people. It is used to strengthen their awareness and understanding of what digital citizenship is and encourages users of technology to be and become responsible DIGItel citiZENS. It shares specific advice and resources on issues such as social networking and cyberbullying and how these related to and affect their own and other people’s online experiences and behaviours www.digizen.org
The NSPCC give advice for parents about keeping your child safe when using the internet, social networking websites and online gaming – www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/
Kidscape works nationwide to provide individuals and organisations with practical skills and resources necessary to keep children safe from harm. Kidscape staff and trainers equip vulnerable children with practical non-threatening knowledge and skills in how to keep themselves safe and reduce the likelihood of future harm. Kidscape works with children and young people under the age of 16, their parents/carers, and those who work with them – www.kidscape.org.uk
ParentZone – this is a link through which parents can get support with improving outcomes for children in an increasing digital age.
CEOP’s Thinkuknow programme – endeavouring to empower and protect young people from the harm of sexual abuse and exploitation (especially online) through education – has launched two new websites offering information and advice directly to young people.
Click HERE to be directed to the website.
Visit Gem Education's Keep Children Safe Online - Advice for Parents