Online Safety
Social Networking Sites
Social Networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter are all online, so any information you add about yourself can be seen by anyone in the world if you have not set your privacy settings.
Here are a few top tips from ThinkUKnow about staying safe whilst online:
Never put your full address on your site
It’s best to leave the space blank, or if you do want to add some information, make sure that you make your profile private so only your friends can see it.
It’s a good idea to use a nickname rather than your real name
Cyber Bullying
Cyber bullying is the name that is used when people on the internet send nasty and upsetting things over the internet.
It can also be done by people using mobile phones, by sending messages and making nasty phone calls.
The number one rule to remember if someone is being nasty to you in this way is don’t respond and don’t reply.
You should tell a trusted adult straight away if someone is upsetting you, or if you have been getting upsetting messages.
The second rule is to save all nasty messages and emails.
You don’t have to read them, but save them in a folder so you can show an adult if you need to.
The third rule is to tell a trusted adult.
If you tell someone about what’s been happening, they will be able to help and maybe stop it.
If you feel you can’t talk to someone just yet, call Childline in confidence on 0800 1111.
For more information about staying in control online, please visit ThinkUKnow's website.
Internet Matters
If your child is a keen gamer and uses a range of consoles or devices to play the latest games, take a look at our list of consoles, platforms and gaming apps parental control how-to guides to get up to speed on how to set the right level of protection to give them a fun and safe experience.
https://www.internetmatters.org/parental-controls/gaming-consoles/
LGfL DigiSafe
This resource isn't for teens, it's for the youngest primary pupils. Why? Although there is awareness about teens choosing to or being coerced or tricked into sharing nudes online, this is about another issue altogether (although the principles taught here will also help children as they grow into the age of sexual experimentation later.)
We want schools and parents to spread the message of Undressed to the very youngest primary pupils because law enforcement agencies such as NCA CEOP have repeatedly warned about sexual predators tricking young children into getting changed or undressed on camera by playing a ‘game’ or issuing a ‘challenge’ to see how fast they can get changed into different clothes or into a swimming costume. This might happen over video chat or livestreaming app; children often don't even know this has happened; videos are often taken and then circulated.
