E-Safety
Posted something you are regretting?
Someone has done or said something that upsets you?
Looking for some information to help your child?
This is the place where you can get some advice and tips to remain safe online.
Students – It does not matter what you have done, staff will always help and support you. If you want to share something or just find out how to change your settings on your Facebook account, you can find it in the sections below.
Parents/ Guardians – If you have not done so already start by talking to your children about this issue. It’s important that, in the same way you check up where your child is going when they leave the house, you know where they are going and who they are talking to, on the internet. If they are using Instant Messenger, ask them who their ‘buddies’ are on their contacts list and whether they know them in the real world. If they use sites like Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, ask them about their friends or followers.
To find out more about Social Media sites read the information below ‘Understanding Social Networks’.
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Parents/Guardians
It is important to let your children know that they can talk to you about anything which makes them feel uncomfortable on the internet or mobile phone and that you will try to support them. One of the biggest risks for children and young people is that they give out too much information about themselves to the wrong people. We don’t just mean telephone numbers and addresses, we also mean the name of their school, their intimate thoughts and feelings and increasingly, pictures of themselves. Once information has been sent out in an email, by mobile phone or posted onto a website, it can easily be copied or forwarded to others.
There are organisations that can help if you or your child gets into a difficult situation on the internet or mobile phone.
If you know about a child who is in immediate danger and you need an urgent response, always call 999 and contact the police. You can also contact your local police for other cases where you think the law has been broken, for example serious instances of cyber-bullying.
If you are suspicious or know that a child is being groomed by an adult on the internet, then you should report directly to the police and you can do this online. CEOP is a national police centre which specialises in such cases. All reports are taken very seriously and a police officer will get in touch with you. To find out more click here.In cases when you feel it is a minor issue, or it relates to school, feel free to contact the school and ask for the E-Safety Officer.
To learn more these sites offer practical advice:
What are Social Networks For?
- Sharing pictures and thoughts
- Connecting with other people, some you know and some you don't
- Learning from others
- Expressing yourself, mostly in public
Are they dangerous?- No, but they can be if you're not careful
- Whatever you post on social networks is no longer your property, text or image or video
- You can delete information, but the companies still have copies of it on their servers
- Social networks can filter the truth out; be aware of biased posting and filtering
- Equally, be aware that people post their *good* life online, which can make you feel inadequate
Why bother?- Social networks can be used positively
- You can connect with people all over the world
- You can access new information
- You can have fun and express your opinion
- Easy to keep up-to-date with things you're interested in, e.g. football or politics or fashion
- You can see if other people feel the same way you do about more or less any topic
- By carefully choosing the accounts you follow, you can bring your broad range of interests into one feed
Information For Students
Perhaps you feel as though you don't want to talk to your parents, the good news is that you have many people available to talk to at school whether it is a friend, tutor or a member of the Safeguarding team.
If you do not want to tell someone face-to-face, you can email.
Help is at handIf you are a little embarrassed about something you have done and need a ‘Quick Fix’ check out the 'Common Issues' information below.
If you need some help using a social media app, blocking, deleting an account have a look at 'Know Your Apps' below.
Even if you do not think it is worth reporting, it might still be best to tell someone anyway. More information in 'Should I Report Something' below.
Common Issues
First of all, talk to someone.
If you let someone else know (a friend, a family member or a teacher) they might be able to help you.Problem:
I posted something about a friend of mine and I want to take it down.
Solution:
Can you delete the post?
If you're not sure how to do this, get in touch with the esafety team to find out how to do this.
I gave someone my contact details and now they're pestering me.
Solutions: You can block people on most social networks; see more in 'Know Your Apps'.
You can ring your mobile network company to see if they can block a particular phone number (SMS, voice calls)
Tell an adult - this could get serious without you expecting it to - everyone thinks it will never happen to them!Problem: I sent someone a picture of myself, and now I am worried about what they will do with it
Solution: Once a photo has left your device, it is out of your direct control, you need to ask them to delete it and see that they do.
If you cannot ask them, tell an adult who will help you.
Do not be scared about admitting you have done something wrong - everyone makes mistakes.
If your issue is not here, it is worth talking to someone at school about it.Click below to Report Something.
Should I Report Something?
If you are feeling bullied or harassed by someone you know, you should always do your best to talk to someone about it. Try not to keep it to yourself.
You can share it with a friend, family member or get help In and Out of school with support services.
Report Harmful Content