Online Safety
Online SafetyYou can use your computer, mobile phone or tablet for lots of fun things and to make lots of new friends from all over the world. This section of our website will provide you with links to really useful advice on how to be careful when you use the internet and some great tips to keep safe. If you are worried about anything you see online or people are asking you questions about where you live or saying nasty things to you please speak to your parents or teacher or follow any of the links below for help and advice. Advice for Children
Online safety is an integral part of children’s education in today’s digital world and is embedded in their learning at school. At Primrose Hill C of E Academy we also want to help our parents and children improve their own understanding of online safety issues so they can learn to use the internet and all digital media in a safe and secure way. At Home As a parent you will know how important the internet is to children - they use it to learn, play, socialise and express themselves. It is a highly creative place of amazing opportunities but the technology children use every day can seem daunting and you might worry about the risks your child can face online - such as cyberbullying, contact from strangers or the possibility of them seeing illegal or inappropriate content. You can download a simple checklist here that may help you start to protect your children online and decrease the risks they face or you can engage with your children regarding their use of the internet whilst at home. Here are some conversation starter ideas from www.childnet.com
Cyberbullying Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place using technology. Whether on social media sites, through a mobile phone, or gaming sites, the effects can be devastating for the young person involved. There are ways to help prevent a child from being cyberbullied and to help them cope and stop the bullying if it does happen. Parents and carers need to be aware that most children have been involved in cyberbullying in some way, either as a victim, perpetrator, or bystander. Social networking Young people routinely access social media and much of their social lives are online. This can create a false sense of security; for example chatting online feels different from chatting face to face. It can be easier to say and reveal things that wouldn’t be said face to face; be cruel, aggressive or flirtatious. It is important for young people to remember that there are offline consequences to online behaviour. Parents and carers have a challenging job. They need to know what their children are doing online and also help them to do it in a safe way. With technology changing on a day-to-day basis, the best way to stay informed is for parents to be involved. Social Networks have a minimum age restriction, usually age thirteen. Parents should talk to their children about the reasons behind the age restriction as they are there for a reason. Accessing such sites too early can expose children to unnecessary bullying. Set boundaries A good way to supervise children’s internet access and set boundaries about what they can and cannot do online is to create an agreement with them. If a child breaks the rules, restrict internet access for an agreed period of time. Thinkuknow provides helpful tips on agreeing and setting boundaries. Ensure you use the privacy settings, parental controls and built in internet safety features provided by the major internet service providers. The UK Safer Internet Centre has guides for parental controls. For parents and carers experiencing any internet safety issues with their children, The Parent Zone provides national helpline. You can contact them on info@theparentzone.co.uk or call 020 7686 7225.
Download the Department for Education's advice for parents on cyberbullying here.
Parenting Articles
Please click on the links below to access the parenting guidance articles.
Digital resilience: a parent's guide
The 5 digital parenting rules that REALLY matter
Should parents worry about what their kids are doing online?
Your child's digital footprint
Choosing age-appropriate video on demand and online content for your family
When your child is being bullied online - a parent's guide
Sharenting: should you share pictures of your children online?
5 ways the internet can help you enjoy family time together
YouTube: what parents need to know
Phone safety and selfies: a parent's guide Advice sheets on the various apps children use: Facebook Musical.ly ooVoo whatsapp Snapchat Instagram
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