Staying Safe Online
The internet has revolutionised and changed how we communicate and socialise with people 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. With access at our fingertips, it can be even more challenging to keep children and young people safe online, especially when they have their own computers, laptops, smartphones/mobile phones, tablets and games consoles.
As a parent, carer or a professional, it is important to educate yourself, children and young people that as well as the endless opportunities available through the internet and technology, there are also associated risks to be aware of.
Potential online risks can include:
- Access and exposure to inappropriate/disturbing images and content
- Access and exposure to racist or hate material
- Sexual grooming, luring, abuse and exploitation by/with strangers
- Sharing personal information with strangers that could identify and locate a child offline
- Online bullying (cyber bullying) by peer and people they consider their ‘friends’
- Being encouraged take part in violent behaviour such as ‘happy slapping’
- Sending or receiving sexually explicit films, images or messages of themselves or others (this is known as sexting when sent by mobile phone)
- Glorifying activities such as drug taking or excessive drinking
- Physical harm to young people in making video content, such as enacting and imitating stunts and risk taking activities
- Leaving and running away from home as a result of contacts made online.
Keeping your child safe
There are several way to help keep child and young people safe online:
- Educate yourself and children and young people know about the dangers online
- Tell them what they should do if anything goes wrong online or upsets them i.e. tell someone about it
- Explain that anything shared online or by mobile phone could end up being seen by anyone
- Ensure computers and laptops are used where you can see and not out of sight in a bedroom
- Use parental settings, filtering software and privacy setting to block inappropriate sites and content
Parental Controls on Smartphones & Other Devices - Internet Matters
Broadband & Mobile Network Parental Controls - Internet Matters
Keeping Children Safe is the most important thing to the Solihull Academy community.Child Exploitation and Online Protection
Internet Matters - advice for parents and carers
Online sexual harassment poster for parents
Guide for parents talking to your child about online sexual harassment
Concerned about Online Safety
If you are concerned about online safety report it via the link below:
Snapchat
"Snapchat has recently added a 'Meet Up' feature. If your child is sharing their location, other users would be able to get directions to where your child is. Encourage them to turn their location sharing off, and only be 'friends' on the app with people they know and trust offline. See our factsheet for more information on how to keep your child safe on Snapchat."
Resources
Cyber Crime Guide for PARENTS/ GUARDIANS/ CARERSSnapchat parent factsheet July 2022