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Online Safety

Stop, Speak and Support.

What issues could be affecting your children?

Get to grips with what they may come across on the internet and how to get help if you need it.
Find out what to do if you’re worried about anything you or your child has seen online.
Inappropriate Content,
Cyberbullying
Online Grooming
Sexting
Online Reputation
Self-Harm
Online Pornography
Radicalisation

Please follow the link below for excellent age appropriate support and guidance regarding a variety of high profile issues connected to the ‘Stop, Speak and Support’ campaign.

www.internetmatters.org

Internet safety checklist for teens

Stay involved

Keep talking and stay interested in what they’re doing. Don’t be afraid to bring up challenging issues like sexting, pornography and cyberbullying. It could be embarrassing, but you’ll both benefit from the subjects being out in the open.

Keep their information private

Your child can set privacy settings on most social networking sites so that only close friends can search for them, tag them in a photograph or share what they’ve posted.

Stay safe on the move

Use safe settings on all mobile devices but be aware that if your child is accessing the internet using public WiFi, filters to block inappropriate content may not be active. Some outlets, like McDonald’s, are part of family friendly WiFi schemes so look out for Mumsnet Family Friendly WiFi and RDI Friendly WiFi symbols when you’re out and about.

Be responsible

Talk to your teenager about being responsible when they’re online. Children often feel they can say things online that they wouldn’t say face-to-face. Teach them to always have respect for themselves and others online.

Talk about online reputation

Let them know that anything they upload, email or message could stay around forever online. Remind them they should only do things online that they wouldn’t mind you, their teacher or a future employer seeing. Get them to think about creating a positive digital footprint.

Adjust controls

Discuss with them adjusting your parental controls to match your teenager’s level of maturity. Have a chat about it first – don’t turn them off completely without careful consideration and discussion.

Show you trust them

If you can afford to, give them a small allowance that they can use for spending online so they can download apps, music and films for themselves, from places you agree together.

Don’t give in

Remind them how important it is not to give in to peer pressure to send inappropriate comments or images. Point them to the Send this instead and Zipit apps which will help them deal with these types of requests.