Internet safety in schools
Internet
safety is an important aspect that needs to be addressed inside and outside of
the classroom, in order to protect children from inappropriate material that
they can be exposed to when using the internet. Half (49%) of young people
questioned say they have given out personal information, such as their full
names, ages, email addresses, phone numbers, hobbies or names of their schools,
to strangers on the internet (UK
Children Go Online Economic and Social Research Council, 2005). Therefore,
using the internet can create many issues in regards to online safety as
children may give away personal
details to strangers and predators online and children may have no idea how
that information will be used (Internet Advisory Board, Undated). The information that children give
out could lead to strangers trying to coax them into real life meetings (Internet
Advisory Board, Undated). The
Bryon Review (2008) further adds that children can also be harassed and stalked
and experience bullying from people they have met online. This can in turn lead
to the child self-harming (Bryon Review, 2008). Children can also see and learn
things they shouldn’t on the internet (Internet Advisory Board, Undated)) and view inappropriate material that
is available to them online which may include spam, violent or hateful content,
pornographic or unwelcome sexual content and misleading information or advice
(Bryon Review, 2008).
Although
there is no way to remove all of the risks from children’s activities, either
online or offline, there are steps and precautions that can be taken in order
to reduce the risks (Internet Advisory Board, Undated). Schools can ensure children are e-safe
by reducing availability, restricting access and increasing resilience (Byron Review, 2008). Schools can help children build
resilience to the material they are exposed to online by using explicit
teaching and learning about e –safety, so that they have confidence and skills
to navigate more safely (Byron
Review, 2008). Resources
available for teachers to develop an understanding of how to teach e safety
include ‘KidSMART’ (online), ‘Childnet’ (online), ‘Know it all’ (online)
and ‘Think U know’ (online), to name a few. These websites provide classroom
ideas and activities based on teaching children about being safe online. Most
of these websites also provide information for parents. This implies a need for
not only schools and teachers to help children with e safety but also parents too.
This highlights the importance of identifying home-school links as a key issue in
keeping children safe online as the main time children use the internet is at
home (Byron Review, 2008). Resources are also
available to report any inappropriate or suspicious behaviour online with or towards a child. These
include, ‘Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre’ http://www.ceop.gov.uk and childline: www.childline.ie.
The Bryon
Review (2008) states that new teachers entering the profession should be equipped
with e-safety knowledge and skills. Therefore, in relation to my own practice
there are important skills and knowledge that I can begin to familiarize myself
with in order to develop my personal professional development in this area. I
can begin to become aware of the current legal requirements and guidance on the
safeguarding of children. I can also research how to support children who are
affected by behaviour online and know when to refer them for specialist
support.
To conclude, although there are many dangers to using the
internet, this shouldn’t mean children should stop using the internet, as Internet
Advisory Board (Undated) states that the internet provides ways for children to
develop their communication
skills, be creative, and find out more about the world and the things they are
interested in. They are experimenting with their identity and image and being
online helps them to learn some of the digital skills that are a priority in the
world they are growing up in (Internet Advisory Board, Undated).
ChildNet.
(online) Cyber-Bullying. Available at: http://www.childnet.com/teachers-and-professionals/for-working-with-young-people/hot-topics/cyberbullying
(Accessed: 27/03/2014).
‘Child Exploitation and Online
Protection Centre’ (online) CEOP Report, Available at http://www.ceop.gov.uk, (Accessed, 27/03/2013)
Internet Advisory Board (Undated) ‘A parent’s guide to social networking websites: Get With It’ by
Society, Information and Media (SIM) research centre, [ONLINE] Accessed,
27/03/2013.
UK Children Go Online Economic and
Social Research Council (2005), Available at www.children-go-online.net
(Accessed, 27/03/2014)
I agree that e-safety needs to be addressed both at home and at school as children's use of the internet is now more prominent as they are confident users of technology. However, I feel that although teachers may educate children about e-safety, parents may not feel as confident as there is a 'generational divide' - this is further explored in my blog post about e-safety. Therefore I think that as teachers sometimes we might also need to educate parents as much as we educate children in order to make sure they also have a good understanding of internet safety.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with this point, my last placement school actually had an assembly for parents to attend which addressed the issues of E-Safety and how parents can approach it with their children.
DeleteI agree with both your points about schools needing to educate parents who may be unfamiliar with internet safety and how to protect children from the dangers online. I think this highlights the importance of home school links and I am aware that many school websites provides links and information for parents about internet safety.
ReplyDelete