Parental Guidance on online safety
Thinkuknow Parents: Thinkuknow is an education programme from the National Crime Agency’s CEOP Command. It has been keeping children and young people safe by providing education about sexual abuse and sexual exploitation. It is underpinned by the latest intelligence about child sex offending from CEOP Command. www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents
Internet Matters offers information about many of the issues and technologies that children may come across in the online world. From sexting to cyberbullying, our recognised experts help to ensure we provide access to the most up to date and relevant information available for parents. www.internetmatters.org/
Parents Info provides high quality information to parents and carers about their children's wellbeing and resilience. This service is free and ranges across a wide range of subject matter, from difficult topics about sex, relationships and the internet or body image and peer pressure to broader parenting topics like ‘how much sleep do teenagers need?’www.parentinfo.org/
Share Aware tells children sometimes sharing online can be dangerous. Asking parents to be Share Aware and keep children safe online. Straightforward, no-nonsense advice that will untangle the web, and show how you can be just as great a parent online, as you are the rest of the time. The internet is a great place for children to be. Being Share Aware makes it safer. (Google Share Aware) www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/keeping-children-safe/share-aware/
Net Aware is a guide to the social networks your kids use. Stay up to date and keep your child safe in today's digital world. www.net-aware.org.uk/
UK Safer Internet Centre: The European Commission appointed UK Safer Internet Centre is made up of three partners; Childnet International, the South West Grid for Learning and the Internet Watch Foundation. Together we raise awareness about internet safety, develop information materials and resources and organise high profile events such as Safer Internet Day. You can access a range of resources from across the UK, Europe and wider afield at www.saferinternet.org.uk
Childnet International is a non-profit organisation working in partnership with others around the world to help make the internet a great and safe place for children. The Childnet website hosts all the online resources detailed below, as well as a number of recommended resources for young people, parents, carers and teachers. The Parents and Carers area also contains key advice, information on reporting and detailed information on a range of e-safety topics in the Hot topics section. www.childnet.com
Common Sense Media is the leading independent non-profit organization dedicated to helping kids thrive in a world of media and technology. We empower parents, teachers, and policymakers by providing unbiased information, trusted advice, and innovative tools to help them harness the power of media and technology as a positive force in all kids’ lives. www.commonsensemedia.org/parent-concerns
NSPCC offers advice and support for parents and carers https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/ they also have specific advice for parents and carers of children with SEND. https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/online-safety-families-children-with-send/
Further links to more advice can be found in the document below
Our next online safety meeting for parents is on Tuesday 19th September 2023 with our Safeguarding Consultant, Dan Tolan.
Social Networking
Social media (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn) is a broad term for any kind of online platform which enables people to directly interact with each other. However some games, for example Minecraft or World of Warcraft and video sharing platforms such as You Tube have social media elements to them.
School recognises that there are numerous benefits and opportunities which a social media presence offers. However, there are some risks associated with social media use, especially around the issues of safeguarding, bullying and personal reputation.Gosforth Schools Trust issued the attached guidance for parents.