What can you do to help protect your child?

 Part I Why is the issue of Internet safety so important ?  Part II Why schools take their role seriously Part III  The IP scheme + how children will use it

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT ? The Internet is a wonderful resource for children which puts the world in their hands, allowing them to discover, connect + create. PART I When we look at this issue of Internet safety we need to keep the issue in context and have a balanced view, remembering the overall tremendous benefits that the medium bring to children.

Digital Communication Virtual communities  Social Networking  Text messaging  Instant Messaging  Video chats  Social Messaging  Gaming Examples  MySpace, Facebook  Cellphones  GoogleTalk, IM, i- Chat  Skype, i-Chat  Twitter  Wii, Playstation 3

The environment created by communication technologies such as the Internet, mobile phones and other devices.

 An incredible place for learning and entertainment  A powerful link to distant friends and family  A place to meet new people  A source of information on just about anything

 A place to meet people who want to frighten, bully or harm others  A place where extreme content such as violence or pornography is displayed  A place where children can arrange to meet face to face with a “new friend”  A place where dangerous misinformation is posted, including anti-social groups or hate groups

 Excessive late-night computer use  Secretive behavior about computer activities  Hidden or password- protected files  Telephone calls from stranger  Unexplained gifts

? WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT ? PART I Whilst there are enormous benefits for children using the Internet at home and at school there are potential dangers for children using the net unsupervised. These can broadly be grouped into 3 C s: 1) WHAT ARE THE DANGERS ? ContentContact Commerce Pornography Racist content Inaccurate info Threatening s Strangers in Chat rooms Blur between advertising and content Invasions of privacy + SPAM

PARENTS PARENTS Mostly and web for research DO YOU KNOW HOW YOUR CHILD USES THE NET ? WE NEED TO BE INVOLVED IN OUR CHILDREN’S ONLINE ACTIVITY, VALIDATE THEIR SKILLS + LEARN FROM THEM YOUNG PEOPLE Interactive chat, IM, Music, Games, WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT ? PART I 2) ADULTS + CHILDREN USE THE NET IN DIFFERENT WAYS

KNOWLEDGE Many children pick up technology quicker ! HELP YOUR CHILDREN TO UNDERSTAND THE CONTEXT TECHNOLOGY IS THROWING UP NEW IMPORTANT SAFETY ISSUES WHICH CHILDREN MAY NOT SEE WISDOM Understanding how to behave in a virtual world WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT ? PART I 3) THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN KNOWLEDGE + WISDOM

IN SCHOOL Generally, supervised, protected and monitored WE NEED TO DO MORE THAN SUPERVISE- WE NEED TO HELP EDUCATE CHALLENGE = to ensure that children are safe wherever they use the Internet OUT OF SCHOOL Often no filtering, supervision or monitoring ? WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT ? PART I 4) SUPERVISED/UNSUPERVISED ACCESS POINTS

Fixed location for access eg home/school Already some children are receiving abusive/hoax txt messages As technologies converge we need to re-view the safety messages Increasingly mobile ? WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT ? PART I 5) CONVERGENCE + THE NET GOING MOBILE

Part II Why schools take their role seriously ? Schools aim to provide a supervised and protected Internet environment. Most schools have filtering and/or monitoring software, an acceptable use policy which parents sign up to, classroom supervision and a firewall or “walled garden” of approved websites that pupils can access. Schools also help children understand the wider issues involved in communication. Schools also seek to prepare pupils for the wider world and through the citizenship schemes of work, issues related to Internet safety are now being covered. It is important we help teach pupils how to behave safely online wherever they use the Internet.

Internet Safety in School -- Seven Topics  Safe and responsible use of electronic communication  Recognizing, avoiding and reporting online solicitations by sexual predators  Protecting personal information on the internet  Recognizing and avoiding unsolicited or deceptive communications received online  Recognizing and reporting online harassment and cyber- bullying  Recognizing and reporting illegal activities on the internet  Copyright laws on written materials, photographs, music and videos

i-SAFE

Part II Why schools take their role seriously HOW WE USE COMPUTERS IN OUR SCHOOL OUR SCHOOL POLICY

Part III The IP scheme + how children will use it The Internet Proficiency Scheme is designed to help KS2 pupils learn how to use the Internet and other technologies safely and responsibly A new resource for schools to help teach Internet safety Provide teachers with easily accessible support materials to help their pupils develop a set of ‘safe and discriminating behaviours’ to adopt when using the Internet and help pupils demonstrate what they know. The aim of the scheme is to: The scheme links directly to the National Curriculum and schemes of work for ICT and Citizenship

Part III The IP scheme + how children will use it ? Teacher’s guide – giving advice on new applications and the dangers as well as ways to involve parents in this issue. The IP scheme includes: Lesson plans to help pupils look at Interactive services such as Chat rooms, , SMS, Instant Messenger etc. - Adaptable and differentiated for different levels of experience and understanding. Interactive websites which reinforces these lessons Certificate to show understanding – but reviewed.

Romanian Government priorities with regard to IT&C Coherent national strategy, sustainable and appropriate, for implementation and development of the Information Society with a view to: Securing the improvement of the services for citizens, a better quality of life, a broader access to information, the decrease of bureaucracy, the increase of the social integration degree, faster economic growth and higher economic competitiveness Accelerating the Digital Reform undertaken by the Romanian Government with a view to switch to the electronic governing and ensuring the conditions for the development of the Digital Economy. Opening the competition on the telecommunications market: allowing new operators to act on a completely liberalized market. Integrating the national telecommunications market into the EU market by adopting common regulations and creating similar institutions. Eliminating the regional discrepancies and sustaining the policy of the Romanian Government of economic development and social cohesion.

 No computers attached to the Internet in the bedroom  Screens facing the door  No passwords on accounts  No passwords on profiles  Restrict times using the router  Set filter levels higher  View online accounts and profiles  You are the parent

 Make it clear that if your child engages in irresponsible online behavior, you will restrict Internet access, activate monitoring software, and review all online activity.  Talk about the implications of Cyberbullying that could lead to criminal arrest or civil litigation.  Discuss the point that if your child misuses or a cell phone that the entire account may be terminated.