E-Safety A Guide for Parents and Carers
The Internet is great because…
However, Young people can be very tech savvy but do not necessarily have experience to judge risk. The digital world can seem as important as the real world.
How can I enjoy games online and keep safe? S M A R T UK Safer Internet Centre afe eeting cceptable eliable ell
Follow the SMART rules Keep your personal information safe! If you wouldn’t say it to a stranger on the street, don’t share it with strangers on the internet – for example your full name, address, school, where you are going.
Follow the SMART rules Don’t meet up! Online games can be a great place for chatting to your friends. Always know who you are talking to in real life. If someone who you don’t know ever asks you to meet up, say no and report it.
Follow the SMART rules Accepting Think before you accept something from someone online e.g. a file, a download, a picture etc. It may contain a virus. If you don’t know who it’s from, and it has an attachment… DELETE IT!
Follow the SMART rules Reliable Not everyone online is trustworthy. Somebody may be lying about their age and who they are. Make sure you know who you are talking to and use reputable sites and services to protect you and your computer.
Follow the SMART rules Tell Tell a parent, carer or trusted adult if someone or something makes you feel worried or uncomfortable online. Also tell someone if a friend of yours needs help online too.
Potential online risks Conduct Digital footprints – shared privately but could be made public Respect and manners Who can view their content? Keep their personal information safe – use nicknames Reporting
Potential online risks Content Adult content including adverts! Hurtful and harmful content Reliable information Illegal downloading
Potential online risks Contact Online friends Privacy settings Grooming Cyberbullying Tell someone they trust!
Potential online risks Commercialism Advertising In-app purchases Pop ups Spam
What can I do right now? Talk to your children about what they do online, which sites they visit, games they play, who they talk to. Explain to them why you need to know what they are doing. Keep electronic devices (laptops, tablets, consoles) in communal/family rooms NOT private bedrooms. Have access to their accounts so you can check in on them.
What can I do right now? con… Don’t sign them up for social media before they reach the age limit. Check age limits on games and apps. Install filtering and blocking software; check settings on accounts for privacy and parental controls. Save any evidence of grooming/cyberbullying and report (initially to service provider, maybe also to CEOP Command). Inform school, especially if it involves other pupils.
Where can I get more information and help?