Ofsted Report 01743 792100 ABOUT MWS SCHOOL COMMUNITY NEWS & CORRESPONDENCE CONTACT US RM UNIFY E-Safety @MWS Knowledge of E-Safety is the real life firewall. Online safety is an ever-increasing topic. At Mary Webb School we recognise that it is an important part of life for students, so we take the approach of educating students in how to use the technology safely and enjoy it. We take a view that usage should be appropriate and sensible and whilst it’s great in rural areas like ours there also should be limits to usage. We strongly recommend a digital sunset and there’s a link below with more information on timings. It’s important for parents and carers as well as students to stay up to date in the ever-changing world of social media. This part of our website will provide you with helpful links and information on topics around online safety. There is also a feed from Parent Info, a joint venture between CEOP and parent Zone. Please feel free to contact school if you have any concerns for your child’s online safety. Are you worried about online sexual abuse or the way someone has been communicating with you online? Make a report to one of CEOP’s Child Protection Advisors Parent Info Parent Info is a collaboration between Parent Zone and NCA-CEOP, providing support and guidance for parents from leading experts and organisations. Parent Info Supporting Young People Online Information and advice for parents and carers. The internet is an amazing resource which enables children and young people to connect, communicate and be creative in a number of different ways, on a range of devices. However, the internet is always changing, and being able to keep up to date with your children’s use of technology can be a challenge. You may sometimes feel that your child has better technical skills than you do, however children and young people still need advice and protection when it comes to managing their lives online. Issues that your child may encounter on the internet will vary depending on their age and online activities. We have grouped potential online risks into these 4 categories: There are real advantages in maintaining an open dialogue with your child about their internet use. Not sure where to begin? These conversation starter suggestions can help. What can I do right now? Familiarise yourself with the privacy settings and reporting features available on popular sites, services and apps. If your child is being bullied online, save all available evidence and know where to report the incident, for example to the school, service provider, or the police if the law has been broken. Create a family agreement to establish your children’s boundaries, and your expectations, when on the internet. A template agreement can be found at www.childnet.com/have-a-conversation (click this button to visit childnet.com) Familiarise yourself with the age ratings for games and apps which can help to indicate the level and suitability of the content. Also see if online reviews are available from other parents as these may be helpful. Set up a family email address that your children can use when signing up to new games and websites online. Encourage your child to use nicknames (where possible) instead of their full name online, to protect their personal information, and create strong passwords for every account. Maintain an open dialogue with your child and encourage them to talk to you about their internet use: for example who they’re talking to, services they’re using, and any issues they may be experiencing. Give your child strategies to deal with any online content that they are not comfortable with –such as turning off the screen, telling an adult they trust and using online reporting facilities. Consider using filtering software to block unwanted content. In addition to filtering, remember that discussion with your child, and involvement in their internet use, are both effective ways to educate them about the internet. Encourage your child to ‘think before you post.’ Online actions can impact not only yourself but the lives of others. Content posted privately online can be publicly shared by others, and may remain online forever Understand the law. Some online behaviour may break the law, for example when downloading or sharing content with others. Be able to recommend legal services. Help make sure that your children know how to stay safe online, by using our SMART Rules. Safe Keep your personal information safe. When chatting or posting online don’t give away things like your full name, password or home address. Remember personal information can be seen in images and videos you share too. Meet Do not meet up with someone you only know online, even a friend of a friend, as they are still a stranger. If someone you only know online ever asks you to meet up, for personal information or for photos/ videos of you then tell an adult straight away and report them together on www.thinkuknow.co.uk Accepting Think carefully before you click on or open something online (e.g. links, adverts, friend requests, photos) and do not accept something if you are unsure who the person is or what they’ve sent you. Reliable You cannot trust everything you see online as some things can be out of date, inaccurate or not entirely true. Always compare 3 websites, check in books and talk to someone about what you find online. Tell Tell a trusted adult if something or someone ever makes you feel upset, worried or confused. You could talk to a teacher, parent, carer or a helpline like Childline 0800 11 11. Six Online Tips for Teens Your online reputation. Use the tools provided by online services to manage your digital footprints and ‘think before you post.’ Content posted online can last forever and could be shared publicly by anyone. Don’t give in to pressure. If you lose your inhibitions you’ve lost control; once you’ve pressed send you can’t take it back. Acknowledge your sources. Use trustworthy content and remember to give credit when using other people’s work/ideas. Know where to find help. Understand how to report to service providers and use blocking and deleting tools. If something happens that upsets you online, it’s never too late to tell someone. Respect the law. Use reliable services and know how to legally access the music, film and TV you want. Be a critical thinker. Not everything or everyone is trustworthy; think carefully about what you see and experience on sites, social media and apps. Social Media Safety & Management Information Facebook Twitter Instagram Snapchat Sexting Incidents Screen Time Online Safety for Parents Copyright 2020 Mary Webb School & Science College.