Sue Wright from the PSNI's Community Policing Service was in school last week to talk to the P7 children about E-Safety.
The workshop highlighted the dangers on the internet and taught the children about a range of issues including:
- Cyberbullying and how to access support and help- Cyberbullying is any aggressive, threatening, or mean-spirited activity conducted via electronic communication (email, social media posts, text messages, etc.) The children learned about the importance of being kind and being a good friend both online and offline
- Treat others online how they’d want to be treated themselves- Anonymity on the web can cause anyone to say cruel things they normally wouldn’t — even children. If they help make the web a better place, they’ll be happier on it.
- Block and report online bullies If someone’s actions are making them feel uncomfortable or attacked, speak to a parent, teacher or trusted adult and report. Most importantly, be sure to block the person who is bullying. Sometimes bullying can be an extension of real-life harassment, which needs further intervention. Report all bullying incidents to a parent, teacher or a trusted adult.
- Think before you post- Don’t upload or share anything you wouldn’t want your parents, carers, teachers or future employers seeing. Once you post something, you lose control of it, especially if someone else screenshots or shares it. Even if you think your messages are private, remember that words and images can always be captured and broadcast
- Anything shared on the internet is shared forever- Never share anything online that you would not share publicly with everyone for the rest of your life.
- Don’t share personal details- Keep things like your address, phone number, full name, school and date of birth private.
- Talk to someone you trust- If you’re worried about something you’ve seen online, you can always talk to your parent. teacher or a trusted adult. Ask for help if you’re worried or upset about anything you’ve seen or been sent online. Sometimes things happen online that make us feel worried, scared or upset. Whatever has happened, it is not your fault. The best thing to do is tell an adult you trust how you are feeling and what has happened. They will be able to help you.
- Create a positive digital footprint online- Your digital footprint is the mark that you leave behind when using the internet and can shape your online reputation. Your digital footprints are made up of the content you create, post and share; as well as the content that others post, and share, with you and about you.
- Don’t talk to strangers-remember everyone you meet online is a stranger, even if they act like a friend. People may not always be who they say they are online. Even if someone looks, sounds, or acts like someone their age, they may be fooled. Always be cautious and never give out any personal information. This might include anything from age and location, to online login information or whether your parents are home. Cybercriminals can hide behind avatars to trick children into giving out personal details.
- Nearly all Social Media services require users to be at least 13 years old to access and use their services. This includes Facebook, Snapchat, Twitter, Instagram and Tik- tok.This is not just a safety tip, it’s the law. Users need to be 16 years old to use WhatsApp. Sue’s advice with regards to age restrictions is that it’s always better to wait until the required age to join any social media service. These rules around age relate to privacy and safety issues. Children are at risk of being exposed to content which is intended for older users when they use sites that are not designed for people their age.
- Use electronic devices in communal areas in the home. Internet use should be supervised by an adult. Children should not have unsupervised access to any Smart devices in their bedrooms.
- Never arrange to meet anyone in the real world that you’ve only ever met online. Never arrange to meet someone you make friends with online alone. They may not be who they say they are.
Parents and carers have a responsibility for discussing e-safety with children and for backing up the e-safety measures that children have learned at school by reinforcing them at home.
As a parent or carer you play a key role in helping your child to stay safe online.
You don’t need to be an expert on the internet to help keep your child stay safe online. Our advice and resources are here to support you as you support your child to use the internet safely, responsibility and positively.
Please see the Parent Area / E-Safety for helpful tips and guidance for parents. Click on the link below.
https://www.stmaryscabragh.com/parent-area/e-safety-126/
Tips, advice, guides and resources to help keep your child safe online.
Click on the link below.
https://saferinternet.org.uk/guide-and-resource/parents-and-carers
Parents are the best suited to monitor their children’s online activity. They are also the most trusted adults most children will turn to if they experience online dangers. Understanding what your children or teens do online is vital to protecting them from digital threats.
