Internet
safety
is your child safe online?
As we all know the use of the Internet
and of social networks has increased
hugely in 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.
This Christmas many parents and
grandparents will be buying the children
in their lives the latest technology
including mobiles, laptops and tablets.
To keep your child safe whilst using their
new ‘toys’ 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 inform