Online Safety
Keep children safe online
Gwent Police is joining forces with local education authorities to warn parents about the dangers that lurk online.
It comes following an increase in the number of reports of children sharing indecent images online. Throughout the Coronavirus pandemic, going online has become a way of life. It’s where we all learn, work and socialise. For children, going online is the new classroom, playground or play date. Sadly, there are people out there that take advantage of this and prey on the young.
Gwent Police, with its’ partners, is launching a new campaign with the simple message to parents; stop what you are doing; talk to your children about staying safe online; and protect them from harm.
Click here for information videos.
Click here for Gwent Police Website
Online Safety at Home
Schools across the UK are now closed to most families. We know this is a difficult time for most parents so here are some resources from thinkuknow to help you learn about online safety at home with your child.
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Parents Helpsheet |
Activities Sheet Years 7-9 |
Activities Sheet Years 10-13 |
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Digital Parenting is the go-to guide for parents to get up to speed on the latest digital technology and wellbeing issues, so families can get the most out of the online world and navigate it safely. Click the magazine on the left for lots more information. |
Safer Internet
Using the Internet safely and positively is a key message that we promote in St Joseph’s RC High School, and deliver online safety messages throughout the year to all pupils.
Resources which you may find helpful in supporting your child online are:
- • Advice for parents and carers from Childnet
- • Tips, advice and guides for parents and carers from the UK Safer Internet Centre
- • Guides on popular apps and games from NetAware
- • Reviews and information about games, apps, TV shows and websites from Common Sense Media
- • Help on using parental controls and privacy settings from Internet Matters
- • Information and reporting of online grooming or abuse from CEOP
Online safety is an important issue which as a school we are committed to teaching our young people about.
https://saferinternet.org.uk/advice-centre/parents-and-carers
If you have any concerns or questions about keeping your child safe online, please do get in touch with your child’s form tutor, DCF Lead Mr R Driscoll, or our Designated Safeguarding Lead Mr I Humpage.
Broadband parental controls at home
Online activity can be monitored via your broadband provider to ensure that your child stays safe on the Internet at home.
Parental controls can help you decide what your child can access online whilst allowing you to monitor their activity. It is better if you talk to your children before implementing these powerful tools as it's important to openly communicate with your children about their Internet usage and experiences. For hints and guidance on how to approach this, visit the NSPCC's website or the UK Safer Internet Centre.
Go Compare have put together some great tips and information, click here to check them out.
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.
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.
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 request.
Cybercrime: Preventing young people from getting involve
The National Crime Agency (NCA) has launched a public awareness campaign to highlight the increasing number of young people engaging in cybercrime.
The #CyberChoices campaign targets parents of 12-15 year olds who may be involved in hacking or other kinds of online crime without their parents' knowledge. The campaign, also aimed at professionals who work with children and young people, highlights the range of criminal activities that children may be involved in, how to spot signs of potential problems, what the consequences could be and importantly, signposts better ways for young people to use their technical skills.
For further information about cybercrime, and to watch the short film produced for the campaign click here. For advice from the NCA on how to help young people avoid the risks of getting involved in cybercrime, and how to work with parents and carers on this issue visit the NCA website.
Keeping Young Performers Safe Cadw Perfformwyr Ifanc Yn Ddiogel
Please see link below for new regulations on young performers. These documents provide detailed information for when young people need licences to take part in public performances and/or in paid sporting or modelling activities.