Internet safety
Internet Safety: what you need to know
Information for parents-
1. Understand the Internet Landscape: The internet offers many benefits, but it can also expose children to risks like cyberbullying, inappropriate content, and online predators.
2. Common Risks: like phishing, cyber scams, data privacy, and the many dangers of oversharing.
3. Monitor, Don’t Spy: Have open conversations with your children rather than secretly monitoring. Create a balance between supervision and trust.
4. Set Boundaries and Rules
- Set age-appropriate internet use rules (screen time limits, approved websites/apps).
- Privacy settings on social media and online platforms.
- Create boundaries about what your child shares online (e.g., avoiding sharing personal information).
5. Use Parental Controls - including content filters, and monitoring apps that can restrict inappropriate content.
6. Encourage Open Conversations: Parents should maintain an open line of communication where children feel comfortable discussing anything unsettling they encounter online.
7. Lead by Example: Model responsible online behaviour, like limiting social media use and prioritizing privacy settings.
Information for pupils-
1. Explain the Internet as a Tool: Start by explaining the internet as a useful place for learning, entertainment, and communication, but emphasize that not everyone online has good intentions.
2. Personal Information is Private: Teach children the importance of never sharing personal information (like their name, address, or school) with people they don't know online. Stress that private details should stay private.
3. Recognize Strangers Online: Just as children wouldn’t talk to strangers in real life, they shouldn’t interact with strangers online. Emphasize that not everyone they meet online is who they say they are.
4. Cyberbullying: Explain what cyberbullying is and encourage children to tell a trusted adult if they experience or witness it. Make sure they know it’s never okay to bully others online.
5. Think Before You Post: Help children understand that anything posted online stays there forever, even if deleted. Encourage them to think carefully before sharing photos or personal updates.
6. Scams and Fake Offers: Teach kids about phishing and fake offers that might appear in ads or messages. Explain that these are tricks designed to steal information.
7. Safe Communication: Remind children that they should only communicate with people they know in real life. If someone unknown contacts them, they should notify a parent or trusted adult.
Practical Tips:
- Use child-friendly search engines: Guide children towards safe, child-friendly search engines and websites designed for their age group.
- Create strong passwords: Teach both parents and children the importance of strong, unique passwords for each account.
Useful Links