Internet Safety
We recently had an Internet Safety Day. It was run by Paul Hay who is an expert in Internet Safety. Paul worked with our teachers to lead an assembly and run class lessons.
Our children love to use the internet specially to play games and to communicate with their friends. The way they start using computers and the guidance they are given at this young age can set them on the right path to being safer in later life.
At St Michael’s Infant School we ensure that our children are taught the basic tips of Internet Safety in every year group.
We use a cartoon which was created by the Child Exploitation and Online Protection agency (CEOPs).
You can see the cartoon on YouTube by clicking here
It tells the children the 4 Top Tips they need to remember.
- Top Tip 1 : People you don’t know are strangers. They’re not always who they say they are.
- Top Tip 2 : Be nice to people on the computer like you would in the playground.
- Top Tip 3 : Keep your personal information private.
- Top Tip 4 : If you ever get that ‘uh oh’ feeling, you should tell a grown-up you trust.
Click here to download and print your own poster
We also held sessions for parents. It is important for all parents to learn about how children use the internet so they can carry on the discussion with their own children at home.
Paul has provided links to useful sites to learn more about Internet Safety and watch other related videos. Here is the site
Paul is also happy for parents to contact him with any questions you may have.
"Digital Parenting" magazine
An organisation called Parentzone have created a great magazine for parents to help them understand how young people use the internet and provide help.
Click here to download your own copy (it is a large file so may take a little time to download)
Snap Map – Below is the information from Paul Hay
One of the most common Apps at the moment is Snapchat, which should be used by children over 13. There is a new feature on it called “Snap Map”. This feature gives the ability to be able to view a map showing the exact location of where users are and also their ‘friends’. This is concerning as it could make children’s whereabouts known to strangers as not every user is careful about who they add to their friends list.
Paul’s immediate suggestion for everybody is to set their settings to be “Ghost Mode”. That way nobody is able to see their location. You do this by:
- When they are in photo-taking mode, you pinch the screen and that will open Snap Map
- Touch the settings cog which is located in the top right corner of the screen
- Tap "Ghost Mode" and that will switch off location sharing.
- Also need to remember that photos and videos which are posted to Snapchat's public 'Our Story' will still be discoverable on the map
There is a link which describe the Snapchat App and how to control settings.
This link and other useful information can also be found at Paul’s site
http://www.pclstraining.com/links/
