Online Safety
Online safety or E-safety is all about minimising risk. It’s about being aware of the possible threats that online activity can bring, and how to deal with them.
These risks are grouped into four categories:
- Conduct: children’s behaviour may put them at risk
- Content: access to inappropriate or unreliable content may put children at risk
- Contact: interaction with unsuitable, unpleasant or dangerous people may put children at risk
- Commercialism: children’s use of platforms with hidden costs may put them at risk
Research has found that between the ages of nine and ten, smartphone ownership doubles. This means it is more important than ever to keep young people safe online.
With increased exposure to the internet and a surge in social media use, the following links can help parents and carers understand the importance of young people adhering to e-safety guidelines. (Ofcom’s Media Use and Attitudes Report, February 2020).
CEOP – for advice on making a report about online abuse
Parents and carers | CEOP Education (thinkuknow.co.uk)
Childnet International – offers a toolkit to support parents and carers of children of any age to start discussions about their online life, and to find out where to get more help and support
Parents & carers | Childnet
Internet matters – provide age-specific online safety checklists, guides on how to set parental controls, and practical tips to help children get the most out of their digital world
https://www.internetmatters.org
Lucy Faithfull Foundation – can be used by parents and carers who are concerned about someone’s behaviour, including children who may be displaying concerning sexual behaviour (not just about online)
Stop It Now! UK and Ireland | Preventing child sexual abuse
Marie Collins Foundation – Sexual Abuse Online
Welcome to Marie Collins Foundation
NSPCC
Keeping children safe online | NSPCC
Parentzone – provides help for parents and carers on keeping their children safe online
Parent Zone | At the heart of digital family life
Safetycentre – social media Online Safety Guides
https://oursafetycentre.co.uk/safetycards
Tiktok
https://parentzone.org.uk/article/tiktok
UK safer internet centre – provide tips, advice, guides and other resources to help keep children safe online and to report and remove harmful online content.
Parents and Carers – UK Safer Internet Centre
Children’s commission provides advice about talking to your child about online sexual harassment
Talking to your child about online sexual harassment: A guide for parents | Children’s Commissioner for England (childrenscommissioner.gov.uk)
Risks of Online Gaming
What parents & educators need to know about Helldivers 2