Introduction to my website

My name is Mrs Price.

As a teacher in a secondary school and a mother of three girls, I wanted to create a website for advice regarding three issues of online safety. These days most children have access to laptops, mobiles phones or the internet in some form. It is therefore important that these devices remain a fun, safe resource.

“However they could be at risk of illegal activity or abuse-be it bullying, fraud or something more serious. Unlike seeing someone face to face, on the net, people aren’t always what they first seem.” (Metropolitan Police, 2017)

The three areas I have concentrated on are the ones I feel are most relevant to my home and work place alike, online safety, sexting and cyberbullying. I have collected information from various recognised sources and charities to help improve knowledge in these areas.    

 

Where To Report A Problem !

 If you’re worried about anything you come across online, you should report it immediately to the relevant organisation and to the site where you saw it.

This is where I suggest you report a problem.

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Action Fraud

If you think you have   been ‘scammed, ripped off or conned’ online you can report it to Action Fraud online or call them on 0300 123 2040.
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CEOP

The CEOP Command of the National Crime Agency is dedicated to tackling the sexual abuse and exploitation of children and young people. You can report concerns about any suspicious sexual behaviour directly to CEOP.
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Internet Watch Foundation

If you see any criminal sexual content online you can report it anonymously to the Internet Watch Foundation.
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ParentPort

If your child has seen any type of content online or offline, that you think is unsuitable for them, you can report it using ParentPort.

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True Vision

If you see any content that incites hatred you can report it to True Vision.
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CTIRU

If you see any content online related to terrorism, you can report it anonymously to the Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit (CTIRU).If you’re worried about anything you or your child come across online, you should report it immediately to the relevant organisation and to the site where you or your child saw it.

Digital footprint :The facts

 Did you know a digital footprint is a trail of data you create while using the Internet. In includes the websites  you visit, emails you send, and information you submit to online  services?

Everyone who uses the Internet has a digital footprint, so it is not something to be worried about. However, it is wise to consider what trail of data you are leaving behind.

A“passive digital footprint” is a data trail you unintentionally leave online.

For example, when you visit a website, the web server may log your IP address, which identifies your Internet service provider and your approximate location. While your IP address may change and does not include any personal information, it is still considered part of your digital footprint. A more personal aspect of your passive digital footprint is your search history, which is saved by some search engines while you are logged in.

 An “active digital footprint” includes data that you intentionally submit online.

Sending an email contributes to your active digital footprint, since you expect the data be seen and/or saved by another person. The more email you send, the more your digital footprint grows. Since most people save their email online, the messages you send can easily remain online for several years or more.

Every tweet you post on Twitter, every status update you publish on Facebook, and every photo you share on Instagram contributes to your digital footprint. The more you spend time on social networking websites, the larger your digital footprint will be. Even “liking” a page or a Facebook post adds to your digital footprint, since the data is saved on Facebook’s servers.

Social Networking

Social Networks are Fun

But  be aware of the risks

Remember!   The lower age limit for most social networking sites is 13.

The most popular social networks include  Facebook, Instagram, You Tube, Twitter and Snap chat. Sites aimed at younger children, like Club Penguin and Moshi Monsters, also have a social networking element ….So be aware of privacy settings on all of these sites.
You can set privacy settings on most social networking sites so that only close friends can search for you

Remember! Facebook  has a setting that  you to approve or dismiss tags that people add to you  posts!

Information shared between friends can be easily copied and may spread widely

It isn’t easy to take back information that has been posted – and can be impossible if it’s already been shared, look at my digital footprint page.

Remember ! Not everyone you meet online will be who they say they are.

Chatrooms and forums can connect people who are complete strangers.

Chatrooms and forums are one of the places online groomers go to connect with children. They can also be places where people use a lot of sexual language and engage in online flirting. This is sometimes done through video chat programs such as skype.

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What is Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying is a form of bullying that takes place using electronic technology. Electronic technology includes devices and equipment such as cell phones, computers, and tablets as well as communication tools including social media sites, text messages, chat, and websites.

Examples of cyberbullying include mean text messages or emails, rumors sent by email or posted on social networking sites, and embarrassing pictures, videos, websites, or fake profiles.

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Why Cyberbullying is Different

Kids who are being cyberbullied are often bullied in person as well. Additionally, kids who are cyberbullied have a harder time getting away from the behavior.

  • Cyberbullying can happen 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and reach a kid even when he or she is alone. It can happen any time of the day or night.
  • Cyberbullying messages and images can be posted anonymously and distributed quickly to a very wide audience. It can be difficult and sometimes impossible to trace the source.
  • Deleting inappropriate or harassing messages, texts, and pictures is extremely difficult after they have been posted or sent.

Online Safety Advice (SEN)

Online Safety is a risk for all children and young people using the Internet. but the risk can be more profound for young people with a learning disability as a result of increased vulnerability, tendencies towards obsessive compulsive behaviour and social naivety.

One example of this is that pupils with Special Educational Needs (have a learning difficulty or disability) are 16% more likely to be persistently cyber bullied over a prolonged period of time.

TTherefore its important to consider effective ways that the internet can support SEN students and I have listed some safety tips to help achieve this.

  • Keep computers in family rooms Most Internet safety guidance suggests that one of the most effective ways of ensuring that the content your child views is appropriate is to place the computer in a family room with the screen facing into the room.
  • Install Internet filters Internet filters are software which are designed to control what content a user can see. It is used to restrict material delivered over the web.
  • Protect against viruses Computer viruses are a small piece of software that can damage your computer.
  • Anti-virus software should be installed.
  • Install parental guidance locks on popular sites Most browsers and video playback sites have the capacity to lock adult content and prevent it from being viewed through the use of a pin code.
  • Prevent postural problems Set up your computer area in a way that encourages your child to sit in a beneficial position, and demonstrate how you expect them to sit.