On-line Safety and Your Child - Information for Parents and Carers

On-line safety is a serious matter that the whole school community need to be concerned about.

In both schools our curriculum includes direct teaching about how children can keep themselves safe on-line; children are also taught what to do if they are upset, concerned or worried about anything they see, read or hear on-line.

How can parents be proactive in keeping their child safe?

We offer advice about keeping children safe when on-line. We ask parents and carers to be  aware that there can be issues in relation to the on-line safety of children and young people within Kent and the wider area. This is not something that ‘happens to other people’. Please consider your child’s safety and your full awareness of the potential risks before giving your child access to mobile phones, games consoles, tablets, laptops and any other on-line devices.

We know that even our youngest children have access to electronic devices at home. It is vital that all parents are aware of the importance of keeping children safe. Lessons in school explain and demonstrate how to stay safe and behave appropriately on-line but we can only be successful in keeping children safe on-line if we work with parents and carers. Your help is needed to talk to your children about how they can keep themselves safe and behave appropriately on-line. It is important that we are all vigilant when children are using the internet and act to ensure they are protected from people who may pose a risk to them. Children can accidentally or deliberately be exposed to illegal, unwanted or unpleasant content, comments or activity on-line and there are steps you can take at home to minimise this risk.

Ground Rules

• Discuss as a family how the internet will be used in your house. Consider what information should be kept private (such as personal information, photos etc) and decide rules for making and meeting on-line friends. Make sure you know what your child is doing on-line much like you would in everyday life.
• Discuss using strong passwords with your child so they understand how they can protect their on-line accounts. It’s important they know that they need to keep their passwords safe and not share them with anyone or use the same password for several accounts. If your child’s account is “hacked” or compromised then make sure they change their password and report any concerns or suspicious activity. Check how secure your passwords are here: http://howsecureismypassword.net/. For more advice on using strong passwords visit  http://tinyurl.com/Getsafeonlinepassword

On-line Safety

• Install antivirus software, secure your internet connection and use Parental Control functions for computers, mobile phones and games consoles to block unsuitable content or contact. Always remember that parental control tools are not always 100% effective and sometimes unsuitable content can get past them, so don’t rely on them alone to protect your child. Additionally, use a child-friendly search engine.

Location

• Consider locating your computers and laptops in a family area where children’s on-line activity can be monitored or supervised, only allowing younger children internet access under supervision. Always supervise the use of webcams and any applications or devices which allow voice or video chat. Also consider the use and location of other devices your child’s uses which allow internet access such as mobile phones and games consoles. Visit www.saferinternet.org.uk/advice-and-resources/a-parents-guide for safety information about consoles and devices

Dialogue

• Talk to your child and ask them to show or even teach you how they use the internet, learn which websites or tools they like to use and why. Learning together with your child can often open opportunities to discuss safe behaviour on-line.
• Always ensure your child knows how to block and report people on-line who may send nasty or inappropriate messages or content. Encourage your child not to retaliate or reply and to keep any evidence.
• Make sure your child knows it’s important that they tell an adult they trust if anything happens on-line that makes them feel scared, worried or uncomfortable.
• It’s essential to be realistic: banning the internet or web sites often will not work and it can make a child feel less able to report a problem or concern, so education around safe use is essential.

Websites to visit for more information:

www.thinkuknow.co.uk – Visit the “Parent/Carer” Section and use the “Click CEOP” button to seek advice and report online abuse

www.childnet.com   – Visit the ‘Know It All’ Section for an interactive guide about online safety

ww.getsafeonline.org – Free up-to-date Security advice including using complex passwords and managing hacked accounts

www.kent.gov.uk/esafety - Guidance from Kent County Council

Our Designated Child Protection Staff Mrs Lintott and Mr Brinicombe are available to discuss any help you may need or concerns that you may have.

If you are worried that your child is at risk of harm or criminal offence has been committed then you can report your concerns using one of the following contacts.

Children’s Social Care: 03000 41 11 11

Kent Police: 101

CEOP: Visit www.ceop.police.uk and use the “Click CEOP” reporting button