E-Safety at MPL and beyond…..

What are the risks our children face? Understanding the potential risks and encouraging safe and responsible use of the internet are crucial steps towards developing a risk management approach to keeping children and young people safe online. Cyber-bullying: by , in chat rooms, playing online games or via mobile phones Grooming and abuse by online predators: in chat rooms, online gaming or via Identity theft: via , from a virus on your computer or mobile device Exposure to inappropriate content including self-harm, racist hate and adult pornography:

What about mobile phones/tablets? Know how your child’s phone/tablet works (e.g. Bluetooth, Internet access etc) Agree the type of content that you would be unhappy for them to download, knowingly receive or send on to others Save any abusive messages/inappropriate images for evidence purposes Decide together what are acceptable bills/use Encourage balanced use – consider switching off at mealtimes, asking to call back, etc.

Examples of websites we use in school - you may like to visit these with your child to open dialogue about esafety and promote safe use of the internet. Add them to a favourites folder especially for your child on your computer. and

Cyberbullying Advice for children, their parents and carers A

What can parents do? ……. Make sure your child asks you before they go online. Monitor your child’s computer/tablet/mobile phone use and sit with them when they are online wherever possible. Limit their use to approved websites and limit time spent online. Set high security settings for browsers, membership and social networking sites (In the case of Facebook children are not legally allowed an account until they are 13yrs). Install and maintain internet security software and parental controls. Talk about protecting private information (name, phone number, school etc) and never sharing passwords with friends. Make sure you know the children’s usernames and passwords to all accounts they have, and that those accounts are set up by you (consider creating a family account) so you can set privacy settings and know how they work. Talk to your child about what to do if they do come across something that upsets them.

Have a look at the Google online safety centre – here, you’ll find a wealth of general and age specific advice – check it out. More…… AND…….

The Entertainment and Software Ratings Board (ESRB) has a really useful website with lots of help and advice about what’s suitable for your child, so you can stay up to date and informed…..

Recommendations…… Frequently check your computers internet history to see the sites your children have visited and monitor their and instant messaging accounts to see who they communicate with. Let your child know you are doing this to ensure that trust is not broken. Set rules about online communication, downloading and cyber-bullying Children should know never to click a link in an or IM, this is a common way people get viruses or reveal private and valuable information to criminals Discuss risks and concerns about posting and sharing private information, videos and photographs Keep computers/tablets/mobile phones in a common area in the house Encourage your child to tell you if they feel uncomfortable with anything they see, hear or read online Remember……. Your child may access the internet at a friends house Encourage your child to use the internet responsibly More……

Help to find the advice & support you need – look at the ESafety page on our school public website (Parents/ESafety) Here you will find lots of help, advice and links for you and your children (with your permission) to use AND on RMUnify (School Site/ESafety)