Category: News

Categories
Advice News Online Safety Parents School Safety Uncategorized

Safer Internet Day 2020

InternetSafetyDay2020

It’s just two months until Safer Internet Day 2020, which will be celebrated on Tuesday 11th February 2020 with a global theme of: ‘Together for a better internet’.

Watch the video below to see what the focus is about this year:

From the safer internet team:

Are you free to be yourself online?
The theme for Safer Internet Day 2020 is…
identity online!

Are people free to be who they are online?
How can avatars help us stay safe online?
Do you think that everyone is fairly represented online?

They’re big questions – and they’re the ones we want to answer on Safer Internet Day 2020.

Focusing on identity online involves considering the information we share online, how others perceive and interact with us, and how online services identify us. It also includes thinking about how offline stereotypes and discrimination are challenged or reinforced online.

We want to inspire young people to support each other to be who they want to be, to celebrate difference, and create a truly inclusive internet.

Find out more for yourself from https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/safer-internet-day/2020

Categories
News

Pre-schoolers are watching more online video, says study from Childwise

BBC covered the expensive report from Childwise which polled over 1000 parents for details on their pre-schooler’s internet use.  The key facts are available from the BBC at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-45738280

Categories
eSafety News

Save the Date: Safer Internet Day 2019, Tuesday 5th February

SID2019
Each year Safer Internet Day gets bigger and bigger, with 45% of young people hearing about the day in 2018. As the UK Safer Internet Centre, which organises the day, we are very excited about Safer Internet Day (SID)2019 which will take place on Tuesday 5th February 2019, with the global theme of ‘Together for a better internet’.

Categories
News Online Safety

Yubo

Yubo is a chat app which used to be called “Yellow – Make New Friends”.  It is a social media app for iOS and Android devices which children are starting to engage with.  Through the app users create a profile, share their location, and flip through images of other users in their area.   It’s been called the “Tinder for Snapchat“.

According to the app’s Terms & Conditions it’s for ages 13+ (because of the COPA law) however because of the HIGH levels of sexual content and availability of location details sites such as Common Sense Media have recommended it for 18+ and even their children reviewers suggest it is for 17+.

Netaware also have a review of the app and go with the app’s own rating of 13+, but emphasise the sexual nature of the app and the high risk of exposure to drink, drug and crime!

 

 

Categories
News

Fortnite

Fortnite is becoming a widespread talking point which many parents and schools are being drawn into.  If you’ve not come across it before it’s what’s known as a ‘first-person shooter’!  It’s very addictive and unlike many of its predecessors it runs on smart phones and tablets.   Children can be drawn into playing it for long times and can play collaboratively or alone.  Collaborative playing does feature contact with other players through chat which can lead to exposure to grooming and bullying online.

Lots of organisations have great information on Fortnite including  https://www.commonsensemedia.org/app-reviews/fortnite
The NSPCC has information for families – https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/online-games-helping-children-play-safe/
as does Internet Matters – https://www.internetmatters.org/advice/online-gaming/
and Childnet – http://www.childnet.com/resources/online-gaming-an-introduction-for-parents
If you want a sensational take on Fortnite then head over to the Sun!
There are not really specific resources for schools that address online gaming directly but the new Google offering https://beinternetlegends.withgoogle.com/en-gb/  might be of some use to schools.
Categories
News Online Safety School Safety

Online Safety Day 2018

Safer Internet Day logo of a tablet computer spinning the world on its finger
[Safer Internet Day logo from UK Safer Internet Centre and www.saferinternetday.org.uk]

Create, Connect and Share Respect: a better internet starts with you!

That second day of the second week of the second month of the year sure does rush around fast these days, and as a CEOP Ambassador and also a 360 Degree Safe Assessor I’m getting quite booked up by schools in a frenzy to help their pupils (and wider community) understand something about the risks of the online world and how to help children avoid them!

Safer Internet Day logo of a tablet computer spinning the world on its finger
[Safer Internet Day logo from UK Safer Internet Centre and www.saferinternetday.org.uk]
Safer Internet Day has been around since 2004, but has now risen to such a level of acceptance that I don’t know of a Primary School which doesn’t embrace it at some level.

Every year has a slightly different theme, and this year’s is ‘Create, Connect and Share Respect: a better internet starts with you’.

The idea that the internet belongs to all of us, so we are all responsible for what’s there, is an interesting point for a discussion.   To help schools engage with pupils of all ages the UK Safer Internet Centre has created a range of resources, which focus on healthy online relationships and digital empathy, such as a Education Packs with engaging lesson plans, SID TV films, a quiz and advice pages.

Last year’s campaign reached 42% of all UK children, the aim is to make this year’s Safer Internet Day the biggest yet!

Resources for teachers can be downloaded from  https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/safer-internet-day/2018/education-packs or you can find out more from the UK Safer Internet Centre at https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/

If you, or your school, are active on social networks then why not sign up for the Thunder Clap.  The idea is to flood social media with the message about Safer Internet Day.  You can find out more at https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/blog/join-2018-safer-internet-day-thunderclap

Categories
News Uncategorized

Online Safety Oxon Launch

Dear Reader, we have just moved our online safety links and information to this site.  Please take some time to view the content you need either as a Parent or Teacher (or both if that’s you!).  We hope you find this useful.  You can find out more about Nick too!