eSafety

 

The internet is such an integral part of children’s lives these days. It opens up so many educational and social opportunities, giving them access to, quite literally, a world of information and experiences.

Whether on a computer at school, a laptop at home, a games console or mobile phone, children and young people are increasingly accessing the internet whenever they can and wherever they are.

As you would protect your child in the real world, you will want to make sure that they are safe whatever they are doing. Like learning to cross the road, online safety skills are skills for life. If your child understands the risks and can make sensible and informed choices online, they can get the most from the internet and stay safe whilst doing so – particularly from those people who might seek them out to harm them.

 

So, how can you protect your child online?

 

If you understand the internet and understand what the risks are, there are a number of things you can do that will make your child safer online.  Your first port of call should be the Thinkuknow website that aims to ensure that everyone has access to this practical information – children, young people, their parents and carers and the professionals who work with them about how to protect children from online abuse.  The website also provides educational resources, including films, cartoons and lesson plans, to help professionals raise young people’s awareness.

 

 

The CEOP website has advice, help and a reporting tool to be used if someone has acted inappropriately online towards a child or young person you know.

 

 

We tell our children to share but online it’s different. In fact, sometimes sharing online can be dangerous.  The NSPCC are raising awareness around the potential issues of children sharing their personal information online.