INTERNET
SAFETY - is your child safe online?
As we all
know the use of the Internet and of social networks has increased hugely i
n recent years. The advances in the technology that we have in our homes and literally at our fingers tips has many positive uses;- we can entertain ourselves with games and music, communicate with family and friends across the world, share photos and other personal data, buy things at our convenience, catch up on our favourite programmes,
Research
and discover answers to questions; to know instantly about global events.
As with many
things however, the internet has to be used safely and with respect; when it is
used to defraud, abuse or bully the consequences can be devastating.
To keep
your child safe whilst using their mobile phones, PC or tablet you should
involve yourself with what they are doing.
If they like to play games ask them about the games they are playing,
get them to explain why they like the game and discuss strategies that they use
to complete the game successfully.
Needless to say, follow the age and rating on the games and set the
parental controls on the devices that they are using. Discuss with your child why you are doing this
and what they should do if they should access anything on the internet that
they find upsetting in anyway. If they
can play online with their friends again help them to do this, reinforcing the
need for them to invite friends that are known to them and discuss appropriate
behaviour. You can explain to them the
need for caution when posting photos online, they might have set the PC or
tablet to share with their "friends" only but their friends may not
have. If they then share the photos or
videos, you and your child can lose control of who sees them. Did you know that
Facebook and many other online communities have an age limit of 13 and over. 
You may
also find it purposeful to reach an agreement on a time limit for the use of
the Internet and mobile phones; for example charge their phones overnight so
that they can not use them when they should be sleeping. You may also choose to limit your own use of
your mobile phone or tablet, as an example –
we all know they can be time killers sometimes!
There are
many resources, including short films and quizzes about safety and how to use the
internet responsibly that you can share with your child. These are a few that I
have used as a primary school teacher
At
primary school, children are taught to be safe on the internet using the
acronym “SMART.” It is good advice for us all.
SAFE-
explain it is not safe to share passwords or personal details, including photos
of themselves and their friends on the Internet. Explain that photos and videos on chat lines
can be shared and be seen by others.
Have a No Strangers rule so that they are only communicating with their
friends. Encourage your child to tell you
if a stranger is trying to 'Chat' with them or meet them - they may not be who
they say they are.
MEETING
- let them know that they should never arrange to meet anyone over the Internet
even with one of their peers. Again,
encourage your children to tell you if someone wants to meet with them.
ACCEPTING - do not accept 'friend'
invites from strangers or open emails from unknown senders. Discuss the dangers of viruses and hacking.
RELIABLE
- there is a huge amount of information on the net and anyone can put it on
there. So, check more than one site when
looking for information on line.
TELL - If you see something that is
upsetting or offensive on the Internet, or feel threatened then tell
someone.
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