The internet is a great place for children to be. At Market Drayton Junior School we take Online Safety very seriously, but we know how difficult it can be to keep track of all the latest sites and apps that children are interested in. On this page we will try to keep help you stay up to date so that we can all work together to keep our children safe.
Click on the Knowsley newsletters below to keep up to date with information about how to keep your child safe online.
Preventing Gaming addiction – Advice for parents
Parent Zone – Everything you need to know about games and social media.
Parental Controls – Read the leaflet below to let your child enjoy the online world in a safe way
Family Gaming Database – Information about the games your child wants to play
YouTube Parent Information – New features on YouTube allow parents greater control
Cyber Security
Cyber Security means protection when online. It can refer to the security settings you use on your online social and video gaming accounts or the software you use on your family’s devices.
Good cyber security means the risk of your family’s personal information falling into the wrong hands is less likely. As such, it’s important to implement security measures that protect your devices.
Cyber Security information for parents
Be Share Aware – Safety advice from a 10 year old – NSPCC & O2
Teach your child to Be Share Aware. Sharing in real life is great but kids need our help to stay safe online. NSPCC and O2 can help with a step-by-step advice.
Social media help
Where to go to find help about the safety features available on these popular social networks.
Cyberbullying and online harassment
Cyberbullying and online harassment can be extremely distressing. They can be even be classed as criminal offences in some cases.
However, there are plenty of organisations you can turn to for help, including charities, social media service providers, and the police
Here’s an overview of what online bullying is, how you can avoid it, and where you go for advice:
What is cyberbullying and online harassment?
Making comments or posts online that are deliberately abusive, offensive, threatening, or inflammatory.
Liking and sharing this kind of abuse can also count as bullying and harassment.
Online bullies and harassers use all sorts of platforms, including social media (like Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, and Instagram), forums, gaming sites, comments sections, mobile phone chat groups and more.
How you can stay safer
- Think before you post: when posting or commenting online, consider what you say and what effect it may have. Never post comments that are abusive, threatening or are likely to cause offence to others.
- Keep personal information personal: do not say anything or publish pictures that might later cause you or someone else embarrassment. Be aware of what friends post about you, or how they reply to your posts – particularly about your personal details and activities.
- Make the most of privacy settings: keep your profiles closed, allowing access only to your chosen friends and family.
Social media help sections can show you how to block users, change your privacy and contact settings, and report abusive content:
Report cyberbullying to internet service providers: lots of content online is offensive or upsetting. It’s not always a criminal offence, but it often violates the terms and conditions established by social media sites and internet service providers. Service providers are often keen to take action against users who abuse their terms of service.
If you believe that you are the victim of online bullying, keep a record of the content (for example, take a screenshot). You can use this to help your report to the service provider and, if necessary, the police.
Sexting
It may feel awkward, but it’s important to explain to children the risks of sexting, how to stay safe and remind them that they can talk to you if something ever makes them feel scared or uncomfortable.
The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) has information about sexting on its website:
Keeping Children Safe – Information about sexting
Knowlsey newsletters
Useful websites
CEOP – Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre – For advice, help or to make a report
Childnet – Information and help on how to keep children safe on the internet
