Cyber bullying and online behaviour
The NSPCC defines cyber bullying as the following:
"Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place online. Unlike bullying offline, online bullying can follow the
child wherever they go, via social networks, gaming and mobile phone."
Like all social media platforms, Whatsapp, Instagram and Snapchat both have a recommended age restriction of 13 so, as parents and carers, if you allow your children to use the apps, then the responsibility to monitor their safety, usage and what your children are posting, ultimately rests with you as parents and carers not school.
Our advice to you
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have those chats regularly with your children about online safety
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keep school informed of any concerns
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check your child’s phone/tablet – remember you as parents are responsible for their phone because either you pay for it or provide the money for them to pay for it
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insist that they leave it downstairs at night - a battle worth having in the long run!
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Help them to understand what is appropriate and inappropriate to post online.
For further information and guidance, the NSPCC has an excellent set of resources for both parents/carers and children alike. The information can be found by clicking here.
Remember you are not alone, we’re all in this together!
If you are concerned about any activity online, please speak to a member of the safeguarding team, or out of school hours you can report to CEOP.
Our school takes online safety (previously e-safety) very seriously and we include online safety lessons in the school curriculum, within Personal Development and Computing. We also implement a variety of filtering and monitoring systems to help ensure that our students don’t have access to inappropriate online material. Advice has been provided to parents about how your home internet provider can ensure safe browsing for your child(ren).
All staff and students are also required to sign and agree to abide by our ICT, E-Safety, Security & Safer Internet Policy.
for our students...
Online safety is about keeping yourself and people you care about protected when using any device which is connected to the Internet, this includes desktop computers, laptops, tablets, phones or even games consoles, handhelds and smart TVs. We want you to be able to use all the variety of resources and services available online, however unfortunately there are some dangers to young people, as well as adults, that we should all be aware of. These include:
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Social networking sites are a popular and good way of communicating with your friends & family, however it can be unsafe if you are communicating with people you don’t know.
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You are very likely to have a list of friends who you share images, thoughts and other information with, but be very careful with sharing things with people you don’t know as they may not be who they say they are!
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Do not share personal details with anyone online, particularly your surname, the place you live, your date of birth, your school and other information from images you share which could be used to identify you.
Thinkuknow is an excellent website for advice to help you with online matters. More information can be accessed on these links:
The UK Safer Internet Centre also has films, games, quizzes and advice to help you to use the internet safely, responsibly and positively.
Free, safe and anonymous online counselling and support is provided by Kooth.
for our Parents...
Young people use the internet to both study and socialise, and it is essential that you are involved and set boundaries in your child’s online life. Emphasise that not everyone is who they say they are and make sure your child knows never to meet up with someone they only know online. Further advice to support your child can be found on the Thinkuknow website. Thinkuknow is the education programme from NCA-CEOP, a UK organisation which protects children both online and offline. More information can be accessed on these links:
The Internet Matters website also provides useful age appropriate advice for parents.
#DITTO is a free online safety (e-safety) magazine for schools, organisations and parents to keep you up to date with risks, issues, advice and guidance related to keeping children safe online, with a view to enjoying and learning about technology. A new edition is released approximately every 6 weeks.
Sadly, no filters or controls are 100% effective so make sure your child knows that they can, and should, talk to someone if they see or hear anything upsetting online.
Video content to support Parents...
Above:
A quick chat about sexting
Above:
A quick chat about game ratings
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A quick chat about parental controls
