E-Safety Information
A guide to staying safe online.
Introduction
E-safety is an integral part of children’s education in today’s digital world and is embedded in their learning in school and out of school.
MBMS are providing this area to help parents and children improve their understanding of e-safety issues. There are also sections that provide information and techniques to empower them in their use of online resources and digital media in a safe and secure way.
PARENT INFO
A useful place to start preparing your child for the world of Digital Media is the Parent Info web site. Parent Info is a collaboration between Parent Zone and the CEOP, providing support and guidance for parents from leading experts and organisations. The web site provides some really useful information about a wide range of topics and is supported by the DfE.
Visit the Parent Info web site.
At School
As part of your child’s curriculum and the development of computer skills, we provide access to the internet only in teacher supervised lessons. We strongly believe that the use of web technologies and email are hugely worthwhile and are essential tools for children as they grow up in the modern world.
However, there are always concerns about children having access to undesirable materials and we have taken positive steps to deal with this risk in school. We operate a strict filtering system that restricts access to inappropriate materials and pupil email accounts have limited functionality; operating within the mbms.org.uk domain and trusted organisations only.
At the start of the school year, each class discusses how we can all stay safe online and the dangers we may face on the internet.
All staff and pupils at MBMS must abide by our Acceptable Use Policy
At Home
As a parent you will already know how important the internet is to children - they use it to learn, play, socialise and express themselves. It's a highly creative place of amazing opportunities.
But the technology children use every day can seem a bit daunting and you might worry about the risks your child can face online - such as bullying, contact from strangers or the possibility of them seeing illegal or inappropriate content.
The Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command (CEOP) helps keep children and young people safe from the dangers they face when going online. CEOP are there to help and give you advice, and you can make a report directly to them if something has happened to your child online which has made either you or your child feel unsafe, scared or worried.
Visit the CEOP website.
It is recommended that you try to engage with your children regarding their use of the internet while at home.
Here are some conversation starter ideas:
- Ask your children to tell you about the sites they like to visit and what they enjoy doing online.
- Ask them about how they stay safe online. What tips do they have for you, and where did they learn them?
What is OK and not OK to share? - Ask them if they know where to go for help, where to find the safety advice, privacy settings and how to report or block on the services they use.
- Encourage them to help. Perhaps they can show you how to do something better online or they might have a friend who would benefit from their help and support.
- Think about how you use the internet as a family. What could you do to get more out of the internet together and further enjoy your lives online?
Checklist
By following this simple checklist, you can start to protect your children and decrease the risks they face online...
Select each topic for more information:
By doing so, your child is including you in their online life and social activity. Show an interest and take note of the names of their favourite sites. You can then re-visit these when you are alone. Take your time and explore the space, find out how to set the safety features and learn how to report any issues directly to the site.
Social networking sites such as Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat are used by children to share information, photos and just about everything they do! Encourage your child to set their privacy settings to private - if possible. They need to think about the information they post online as it could be copied and pasted anywhere without their permission. If it got into the wrong hands, somebody may wish to use it against them or worst of all try to locate them in the real world.
For more information on a host of Apps, games and social networking sites and how they work, visit the parent guides on Parent Zone
Filters on computers and mobiles can prevent your child from viewing inappropriate and possibly illegal content. You can activate and change levels depending on your child’s age and abilities. You can also set time restrictions for using the internet or games. They can be free and easy to install.
Call your service provider who will be happy to assist or visit Think U Know for further information. Explain to your child why you are setting parental controls when you talk to them about internet use.
Sometimes children get into situations online where they don’t feel comfortable or see something they don’t want to see. By opening up the communications channel and talking to your child about the internet, their favourite sites and the risks they may encounter, they are more likely to turn to you if they are concerned about something.
The CEOP Safety Centre provides access to a range of services. If you are concerned that an adult has made inappropriate contact with your child you can report this directly to CEOP. You can also find help if you think your child is being bullied, or if you’ve come across something on the internet which you may think might be illegal.
Useful Links for Parents
To try and help parents with the fast moving and changing world of internet and social media we've suggested a few web sites below.
They contain information on different types of social media and further links to fantastic resources that can help keep you and your children safe online: