1. E-safety Technical (and not so technical!) Tips for Parents and Carers
Nick Hockin
Information Manager & E-Safety Officer
Priory School
v8 March 2017

2. As adults we may worry about looking ignorant about new technology
As adults we may worry about looking ignorant about new technology! But we have life experience, which is far more valuable than any technological solution
Focussing on behaviour allows you to use that experience to provide the support a young person may need

3. What we’ll look at... Facebook Apps Parental Controls
Private Browsing and Proxy Servers
Viruses and Malware
Where to get more help 
Safe Practice

4. Facebook 1 : Some gentle reminders for your children
Facebook is a data-mining business, not a gift to the world!
It’s meant for over-13s (as is YouTube)
if you’re under 13 you’re not breaking the law but you are breaking Facebook’s Terms and Conditions
lying about your age to register is a dangerous online habit to get into
Be careful what you post
it’s often checked by colleges
and employers
like any other site where things can be
uploaded, you should only put something
on it that you’d be happy for the whole
world to see, forever!

5. Facebook 2 : Staying safe
Make sure your child’s privacy settings are carefully set
see our downloadable checklist (also available for Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat)
Get them to choose a strong, unique password
use numbers, symbols and mixed case e.g. 3BM,shtr!
Use a cartoon as a profile picture
Are your child’s Friends their real-life friends?
If your child receives an abusive message
minor : they should un-Friend the abuser
major : they should block the user (making them mutually invisible on Facebook) and report the abuse
The Facebook Parents Portal ( is quite comprehensive
Facebook’s privacy “features” often change – if they do, check your child’s existing settings again as sometimes they’ll be reset back to more public defaults
they can be persuasive about benefits – beware!

6. Apps 1 : Overview
Young people now do much of their online activity on a phone – anywhere, anytime
Google Play and the Apple Store
each contain over 2 million apps…
…so the first line of protection is now
safe practice rather than obscure program settings
However it’s still worth discussing with your child
any links they have made between apps : sometimes these are “live”, so deleting an image gets rid of it everywhere - but sometimes they are not, so copies may remain online
the impact of location-sharing, or the background of images
specific Terms & Conditions
privacy settings
if they use Android, stick to Google Play for new apps
Check out the reviews on NSPCC NetAware

7. Apps 2 : Two to Get? Available now : ZIPIT Author : Childline
Platform : Android or iOS
Meme replies to iffy messages!
Available soon : Family Link
Author : Google
Platform : Android only so far
Approve apps, set and monitor screen time (and bedtime)

8. Parental Controls Windows and Mac OS X
Both have parental controls built in, offering filtering by age, white/black lists, timed access and logging
Some of this can be checked via the cloud
make sure you are the only administrator!
Check your antivirus as many now include parental controls
Check your ISP – most provide a package for their broadband customers
check your child is using your wi-fi!
Check your phone provider – e.g. O2 can set up parental controls on your child’s mobile
InternetMatters do a great interactive guide

9. Private Browsing and Bypassing Filters
A proxy is a “go between” website designed to bypass internet filtering
1000s exist and new ones are created daily
Not always obvious in internet history
may not have “proxy” in their address
may have an innocuous name
Be vigilant
has your child suddenly stopped complaining about parental controls?
are they happy to show you their Favourites?
have they logged lots of visits to an oddly named site?
are they using “private browsing”?

10. Viruses and Malware Modern malware is increasingly sophisticated
e.g. stealing your banking passwords, “ransomware”
Macs aren’t immune and mobiles are starting to be targeted
make sure your protection is up-to-date (not just a trial that’s run out)
Recommended antivirus software
paid for : Kaspersky, Avast, BitDefender
free :
Desktop Windows/Mac : Sophos Home, Avast, Malwarebytes
Mobile Android/iOS : Sophos Mobile Security
Back up your files!
Ideally, physically away from your computer to limit any malware infection
Preventing malware – tips for you and your children
don’t open unsolicited attachments
don’t click on links without seeing where they lead
be careful with USB devices (memory sticks, hard drives)
beware cold callers or pop-ups offering telephone “support”
may use stolen data to sound convincing
may offer to install software

11. Where to get more help Websites
CEOP and Think U Know
Priory School website (Parental Info > Online Safety and Security)
UK Safer Internet Center
includes some especially useful guides e.g. Parents’ Guide to Technology
links on tonight’s handout
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube all have online forms to report under-13 use

12.  Safe Practice  For your children : For you :
don’t give out your personal details online
use strong passwords and vary them from site to site
secure all your devices with passwords/pins etc
don’t meet up with people you meet online without an adult
tell someone if you get bullied or feel uncomfortable
block the abuser, don’t respond, keep a copy of any messages
strangers online = strangers offline!
For you :
seize key moments – e.g. first mobile, turning 13 etc
engage early, ask your children to teach you, and join in
encourage online activity in shared family areas
establish some ground rules
non-internet related sanctions are sometimes best
let your child use you as an excuse to save face!
talk to the parents of your child’s friends
set a good example by showing concern for your own e-safety
most devices now have internet access – so talking to your child and teaching them “critical thinking” is the key!

13. Finally…
We welcome parental contributions to our Online Safety Working Group
Many thanks if you completed our recent online survey
me if you have a concern :
Please fill in the feedback form